Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 425

The price Sejong paid was a shift in his family dynamics.

Unlike the history before Hyang’s intervention, Sejong had only 1 queen, 3 consorts, and 1 *sangchim* [a high-ranking palace maid]. As a result, instead of having 18 sons and 4 daughters, he had 10 sons and 3 daughters.

To put it simply, he dedicated the spare time gained from Hyang managing state affairs to studying *Hunminjeongeum* [the Korean alphabet], time he otherwise would have spent fathering more children.

* * *

Amidst the ongoing game of cat and mouse between Sejong, who was trying to delegate state affairs, and Hyang, who skillfully avoided them, the ministers continued with their duties.

Beijing, within the Forbidden City.

“Welcome, envoys from Joseon.”

The Xuande Emperor, seated on his throne, greeted Yi Maeng-gyun and his delegation from Joseon.

“We greet Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live.”

Yi Maeng-gyun and his party performed their respects according to protocol.

The Xuande Emperor smiled faintly and inquired of Yi Maeng-gyun,

“Joseon typically sends envoys urgently for one of two reasons: unexpected good news or unexpected bad news. Which brings you here today?”

“We have come regarding the Jurchens.”

“The Jurchens? I thought they had been quiet lately.”

The Xuande Emperor, initially questioning Yi Maeng-gyun’s statement, paused, then nodded in understanding.

“Ah! Is this about that ‘Dragon Road’? I was already planning to dispatch an envoy myself.”

The smile vanished from the Xuande Emperor’s face, replaced by a cold expression. Observing this, the Ming officials and eunuchs present swallowed nervously, their faces paling.

“Had you not arrived so promptly, the Gyeongbok Palace [the main royal palace of Joseon] might have experienced some unrest.”

At these chilling words, Yi Maeng-gyun and the Joseon envoys immediately prostrated themselves on the floor, exclaiming,

“We hastened here as soon as we received word, yet we are still late! We harbor absolutely no ulterior motives!”

* * *

The changes in Joseon and Europe were significant, but the most impactful change occurred in Beijing.

The Xuande Emperor was alive.

In the timeline before Hyang’s intervention, the Xuande Emperor had died in 1435, two years prior. His successor, the Zhengtong Emperor, ascended the throne at the young age of nine, marking the beginning of the Ming Empire’s decline.

However, in the altered timeline, the Xuande Emperor remained healthy and actively involved in governing.

The turning point was Hyang’s visit to Beijing.

Impressed by Hyang’s demeanor, despite his youth, the Xuande Emperor began to inquire about Sejong and Hyang.

In doing so, the Xuande Emperor learned about the dietary and exercise regimen Hyang had recommended to Sejong and promptly adopted similar practices.

Furthermore, the substantial profits generated through the joint ventures established with Joseon, coupled with the immense wealth acquired during the currency reform purges, stabilized the empire’s finances and significantly reduced the emperor’s stress, thereby prolonging his life.

The Xuande Emperor’s extended reign had a profound impact on the Ming dynasty.

Before Hyang’s intervention, the Ming economy had doubled during the Xuande Emperor’s rule.

However, in the altered timeline, the economy experienced unprecedented growth, nearly tripling in size.

However, as with light, there is darkness, and not everything was good.

The rapid economic growth led to price instability, and speculative ventures aimed at quick fortunes became widespread.

In particular, the burgeoning trading cities faced severe housing shortages, causing real estate prices to skyrocket.

Political issues also arose. The series of purges instilled fear in officials and eunuchs, who prioritized self-preservation and focused on proposing policies that would please the emperor, regardless of their merit.

Of course, similar issues existed in Joseon. However, Sejong was open to dissenting opinions if they were well-reasoned. In contrast, the Xuande Emperor’s subjects were primarily sycophants.

* * *

Amidst the envoys’ desperate pleas, the Xuande Emperor asked in a still-icy tone,

“So? Joseon harbors absolutely no impure intentions?”

“That is correct! This is solely due to the foolish actions of the ignorant Jurchens!”

Yi Maeng-gyun proceeded to explain the commotion caused by the Jurchens who had encountered the railroad.

“Hmm….”

The Xuande Emperor stroked his beard as he listened, then repeated the question for clarification.

“So, the Jurchens, in their ignorance, mistook the iron horse for a dragon and dubbed the railroad the Dragon Road? Is that your claim?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm….”

Having received the confirmation, the Xuande Emperor pondered further, while Yi Maeng-gyun and the Joseon envoys stared intently at the emperor’s face, swallowing nervously.

After a moment of contemplation, the Xuande Emperor nodded, as if reaching a decision, and spoke.

“I am inclined to believe that this incident was not orchestrated by Joseon. Until now, Joseon has not given me cause to doubt their trustworthiness.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless! Long live, long live, long live!”

“Long live, long live, long live!”

Upon hearing the Xuande Emperor’s decision, all the Joseon envoys shouted “Long live” three times in unison.

With the immediate crisis averted, the Xuande Emperor moved on to another matter.

“I have heard numerous accounts of this iron horse since it first appeared in Hanseong [present-day Seoul]. Compared to the iron horse of that time, how much more advanced is this ‘dragon’ you speak of?”

“It has become somewhat more useful.”

“Elaborate.”

“Yes. Its size is…”

At the Xuande Emperor’s command, Yi Maeng-gyun provided a detailed explanation, sharing all that he knew. The Xuande Emperor listened attentively, stroking his beard, without interrupting with questions.

Once Yi Maeng-gyun had finished his explanation, the Xuande Emperor addressed the envoys.

“That was a satisfactory explanation. You may return and rest. I shall draft a letter to the King of Joseon regarding this matter.”

“We are grateful for your grace.”

After dismissing the envoys, the Xuande Emperor turned to the officials in the throne room.

“The iron horse that Joseon has developed appears to be quite remarkable. What are your thoughts?”

The Minister of Revenue stepped forward and responded to the Xuande Emperor’s question.

“It is said that it can travel a thousand *li* [approximately 500 kilometers] without stopping, moving at the speed of a horse, and can transport hundreds of people and tens of thousands of *kwan* [one kwan equals 3.75 kilograms] of cargo on a single cart. While there may be some exaggeration, even accounting for that, I believe it would be quite beneficial.”

The Xuande Emperor shook his head at the Minister of Revenue’s assessment.

“The Minister of Revenue is mistaken. Why would Joseon need to exaggerate? In fact, that statement is likely a considerable understatement. Have you forgotten the nature of Joseon, after dealing with them for so long?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s rebuke, the Minister of Revenue immediately prostrated himself on the floor, his face paling.

“My judgment was flawed! Please forgive me!”

The Minister of Revenue desperately begged for forgiveness. A single misstep could lead to his execution.

“Of course, it is difficult to believe without witnessing it firsthand. Even I, despite my words, find it hard to fully accept. It is only because of Joseon’s past actions that I am inclined to believe it. And I concur that it would be quite useful. Therefore, I shall not hold the Minister of Revenue accountable. Rise.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless! Long live, long live, long live!”

After reprimanding the Minister of Revenue, the Xuande Emperor turned to the other officials.

“Let me reiterate, the iron horse that Joseon is utilizing in that Jurchen territory seems quite valuable. So, what course of action should we pursue?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s question, Gun-bo, one of the Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet, stepped forward and spoke.

“I believe it would be unwise to demand the iron horse as tribute. Perhaps we should request the blueprints instead?”

At Gun-bo’s suggestion, a military officer from the Ministry of War retorted.

“Why waste time? It would be simpler and faster to simply receive it as tribute.”

At that statement, an official from the Ministry of Revenue began to argue.

“Have you forgotten what the Joseon envoy said earlier? The cost of producing a single iron horse is 2,000 taels of gold! 2,000 taels of gold! If we were to construct tracks and operate them throughout the empire, do you believe we could accomplish it with only one or two iron horses? If we were to demand all of that as tribute, our finances would be depleted by the reciprocal gifts we would be obligated to provide!”

At that, the military officer from the Ministry of War raised his voice again.

“Why must we offer gifts in return to a small country like Joseon? A small country like Joseon should simply be grateful that our Ming is protecting their nation, and they should live in deference to our great Ming! Why should we concern ourselves with Joseon’s feelings!”

At that, the military officers around him nodded in agreement.

“Because if we provoke Joseon, we will also be in danger.”
The military officers, who had previously displayed pride and arrogance, turned pale at the Xuande Emperor’s words.

The Xuande Emperor, with a look of disappointment, glared at the military officers with pale faces and continued.

“You are aware of the power wielded by the Jinyiwei’s [the Ming dynasty’s secret police] Chongshidae [musketeers] and the Huopaowei [artillery unit], correct?”

“Yes, we are well aware.”

“Joseon possesses more musketeers and artillerymen than the Chongshidae and Huopaowei combined. While their overall military strength is less than ours, they surpass us in artillery and cannons. And it is not merely a matter of numbers. The Joseon people have been relentlessly researching and developing artillery since they first encountered it. And yet, you dismiss such a nation as insignificant?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s question, the military officers all prostrated themselves on the floor.

“Please forgive our shortsightedness!”

However, the Xuande Emperor’s rebuke continued.

“Why did the Hongwu Emperor [the founder of the Ming dynasty], a hero of his time, pay so much attention to Joseon and seek to appease them? Furthermore, why did the Yongle Emperor [the third emperor of the Ming dynasty], who made the world tremble with his military prowess, reconcile with Joseon? It is because underestimating Joseon invites retaliation.”

Having said that, the Xuande Emperor paused and corrected himself.

“Ah! That is not to say that our Ming would be defeated if we were to engage in war with Joseon. Joseon would be prepared to face annihilation. This is to prevent opportunistic factions from exploiting the situation while we are occupied with Joseon. But why is the military, who should be most aware of this, underestimating Joseon?”

“We were ignorant!”

At the Xuande Emperor’s rebuke, the military officers continued to bang their heads on the floor, begging for forgiveness. The Xuande Emperor sighed as he looked at those military officers.

“Hoo~. I do not fault your pride, but underestimating Joseon is unacceptable. I will let this pass this time, but remember that there will be no second chance. Rise.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

“We will engrave it in our hearts!”

“Long live, long live, long live!”

The military officers, who had narrowly escaped death, just like the Minister of Revenue, shouted “Long live” at the top of their lungs.

* * *

Having resolved the situation, the Xuande Emperor turned to Gun-bo and asked.

“Why do you suggest requesting the blueprints?”

“As previously stated, if we demand the iron horse as tribute, we would be obligated to provide gifts of significantly greater value in return. This would inflict a devastating blow to the empire’s finances, which must be avoided at all costs.”

“So you propose requesting the blueprints as tribute?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s words, Gun-bo clarified his suggestion.

“Not as tribute, but as a purchase. And, given the challenges involved in actual production using only the blueprints, we should also request to purchase three or four actual iron horses.”

“Not as tribute, but as a sale?”

At the Xuande Emperor’s repeated confirmation, Gun-bo answered firmly.

“Yes, a sale.”