Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 428

428. What Was Expected, and What Was Not. (5)

“Your Majesty, I have safely returned after completing my mission as an envoy.”

“You have worked hard.”

Lee Maeng-gyun, after paying his respects to Sejong, presented Emperor Seonduk’s edict to him.

“Hmm…”

Sejong, after reading the edict brought by Lee Maeng-gyun, did not look pleased.

“It’s always like this… Never a pleasant feeling.”

At Sejong’s words, Hwanghee stepped forward to reply.

“Since the officials and the people are all working diligently, good news will come someday.”

“Someday, you say… Well, for now, those words are the only correct answer.”

With an answer full of lingering resentment, Sejong tossed the edict aside as if throwing it away.

“Hoo~.”

Taking a light deep breath, Sejong soon moved on to the next matter.

“So, was the Emperor interested in the Iron Horse [a type of train]?”

At Sejong’s question, Lee Maeng-gyun replied in a serious voice.

“The Emperor showed great interest. However, there seems to be a problem.”

“A problem? Hmm…”

Sejong closed his mouth and stroked his beard, lost in thought, while Lee Maeng-gyun quietly waited for Sejong to speak.

Not long after, Sejong, having finished organizing his thoughts, opened his mouth.

“The land of Ming [China during this period] is vast and wide. Anyone with even a little sense would not miss the usefulness of the Iron Horse and the railroad. If so, the problem must be the price of the Iron Horse. Is that correct?”

At Sejong’s question, Lee Maeng-gyun immediately nodded.

“That is correct. However, considering the price of the Iron Horse, if we were to receive it as tribute, it would cause a significant problem for Ming’s finances, so I heard there is much commotion about it.”

“Commotion? Even though the Emperor is interested in the Iron Horse? Could it be?”

The face of Sejong, who was asking the question, changed seriously, and the faces of the other officials also turned serious.

“Are they trying to attempt again what once failed?”

“There is a high possibility…”

“Heo… We must immediately strengthen security not only in District 51 [a secure research and development area] but also in the areas where the artisans working in District 51 reside, wouldn’t you agree?”

As the saying goes, ‘A startled heart from seeing a turtle is startled again by seeing a pot lid.’ The officials, recalling the ‘Artisan Enticement Attempt’ that had happened in the past, unanimously insisted on strengthening protective measures for District 51 and the artisans working there.

“Silence.”

At Sejong’s command, the officials immediately closed their mouths. As the officials fell silent, Sejong organized the situation.

“Your opinions are correct. It would be best if Ming resolved matters in a way that is fair to everyone, but there is a possibility that they may not. Therefore, strengthen the security around District 51 and the research institute.”

“We obey your command.”

Having settled the urgently raised agenda, Sejong asked Lee Maeng-gyun again.

“Report in more detail what the commotion is about.”

“Yes. According to information obtained through a secret line…”

Lee Maeng-gyun explained to Sejong and the officials the information he had obtained through Ming officials who had been won over by Joseon.

* * *

Ming officials who became Joseon’s secret line were able to survive the storm of the Great Purge [a political purge].

However, the reason was truly paradoxical.

The biggest reason was that the officials Joseon had approached were in a truly ambiguous position, neither high nor low.

What Joseon was asking for was not Ming’s top secrets but rather what kind of stories were circulating in the court.

While providing information that was not considered very important at that level, the officials received a moderate amount of gifts.

Not enormous bribes like those taken by high-ranking officials, but gifts that provided a slight help to their lives, and those who met with such officials were interpreters who could be considered minor officials.

On the surface, it appeared that an interpreter who had maintained a relationship for a long time visited the house of an acquaintance in Beijing with gifts and returned after having a light conversation.

Ironically, this appropriate behavior was the wisdom of life created by Joseon officials who had been shattered by Sejong.

‘Eat only enough to avoid trouble, thinly and for a long time.’

This was the motto of Joseon officials.

Because of this situation, the officials connected to Joseon survived the storm of purges. No, ironically, there were even those who were promoted as honest and upright officials.

* * *

“Purchase or tribute…”

Sejong, who was pondering Lee Maeng-gyun’s report, suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hoo! Even a country that claims to be the center of the world is helpless before money.”

At Sejong’s words, Hwanghee responded.

“Wasn’t the current Emperor’s top priority the restoration of finances? He is likely to do so.”

“And aren’t the people of Ming those who would do anything for wealth?”

“Yes, that’s right. Then, how do you think it will be decided?”

After pondering for a moment at Sejong’s question, Hwanghee stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“It is impossible for even the great Ming to resolve all needs by receiving actual Iron Horses as tribute. They will probably demand the minimum amount of actual goods and request the blueprints.”

“So, it’s going our way on its own?”

At Sejong’s question, Hwanghee responded.

“The situation has become such that it cannot be helped.”

At Hwanghee’s words, Sejong and the officials all nodded. They had been agonizing over how to make them take only the blueprints as planned, but the situation was flowing in that direction on its own.

After a while, Kim Jeom opened his mouth.

“I think what we need to worry about now is ensuring that Ming continues to protect our intellectual property rights and strengthening the security of District 51 and the research institute.”

As soon as Kim Jeom finished speaking, Maeng Saseong opened his mouth.

“Considering the Emperor’s personality, protecting intellectual property rights will not be very difficult. Our joint venture is at stake. The most important thing is the security of District 51 and the research institute, which is constantly being discussed. And we must also prevent the outflow of artisans.”

At Maeng Saseong’s words, Sejong nodded.

“Your words are correct. Of course, there is a saying that ten policemen cannot stop one thief. If the other party is determined to take it, there may be a breach no matter how hard we try. It’s force majeure [an event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled]. However, if technology is leaked, we lose ten years, but if people are leaked, we lose a hundred years. Keep this in mind.”

At Sejong’s command, the officials all bowed their heads and replied.

“We will engrave it in our hearts!”

And a month later, Ming’s envoy visited Joseon.

After hearing the purpose revealed by Ming’s envoy, Sejong muttered to himself.

“Have we been outmaneuvered?”

* * *

The content of the Emperor’s edict, read aloud by Ming’s envoy, was as follows:

-I speak to the King of Joseon.

Since I ascended the throne, I have not missed a single day in wishing for peace in the Central Plains [ancient name for China] and its surroundings. Whether the heavens have looked favorably upon my sincerity, the recent state of the world is truly one of great peace. And the King of Joseon has played a part in achieving this great peace, so I cannot help but praise him.

-As this great peace continues and goods become abundant, the number of people traveling long distances is increasing. However, how difficult is it to rely solely on the two legs of people and the four legs of livestock to travel this vast world?

-In order to resolve this pitiful situation, I asked all the people of the Central Plains for a solution, and one merchant group volunteered to solve it. The intention of that merchant group is truly commendable, so I asked if I could help.

-The head of the merchant group replied to my question that Joseon’s railroad and Iron Horse are truly useful, so they want to bring them in. However, since these are Joseon’s goods, it is not an easy task for a mere merchant.

-Therefore, I send this edict to the King of Joseon, hoping that you will look favorably upon the accompanying merchant. How beautiful is the intention of taking on difficult tasks for the sake of the empire’s people?

Therefore, I hope that the King of Joseon will give a good answer.

After the envoy finished reading aloud, Sejong performed a bow and shouted “Manse!” [a Korean expression of joy or triumph] three times according to etiquette, and then received the Emperor’s edict.

The envoy, who handed over the Emperor’s edict, politely paid his respects to Sejong and said.

“When I saw the grand bridge placed on the Han River and the Iron Horse traveling over it, it was truly beautiful. I sincerely hope to see such a beautiful scene in our Ming as well, so please make a good decision.”

At the envoy’s words, Sejong replied with a calm face.

“I will do my best. However, the Iron Horse is the most precious of precious things, so it will not be an easy task.”

“I sincerely hope for a good result.”

After ending the conversation, which was full of subtle pressure and evasion, Sejong sent the envoy back to Mohwagwan [a state guest house] and moved towards Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace], ordering Sangseon [a high-ranking eunuch].

“Bring the Crown Prince here immediately.”

* * *

When Hyang entered Geunjeongjeon after being summoned, Sejong explained the situation to Hyang.

“…So, what are your thoughts, Crown Prince?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately replied.

“Considering the precedents regarding tribute and gifts and the dignity of the great power, someone, whoever it is, has come up with a very ingenious plan. It reduces the financial burden and at the same time saves the empire’s dignity. It’s amazing that there are still talents left who can think of such things even amidst the Great Purges. There are indeed many people.”

At Hyang’s assessment, Sejong nodded.

“That is true.”

Even while nodding like that, Sejong’s face was not very good. This was because Hyang’s remark was stabbing at Joseon’s sore spot, ‘lack of talent.’

* * *

The abilities of the talents who are active in the court and in various parts of Joseon society are by no means inferior to those of Ming. The problem was the absolute number.

Unlike Joseon, which is now approaching ten million, Ming’s population has already exceeded eighty million and is looking towards ninety million.

Quantity was overwhelming quality.

* * *

Hyang’s words continued.

“Although the target has changed from Ming’s court to a merchant group, the overall situation has hardly changed. The Minister of Finance will be very disappointed, though.”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom nodded without realizing it.

‘If only I had received three times the tribute… Ah! My stomach hurts!’

Kim Jeom’s face was full of regret.

Hyang, who lightened the mood with a light joke, continued.

“It is a reasonable decision for the merchant group to take on the construction. We have done so as well.”

As Hyang said, most of the sections of the railroad and roads, except for the sections that required a large amount of gunpowder, were contracted out to Joseon’s merchant groups. Thanks to this, merchant groups specializing in civil engineering even emerged.

“However, the problem is what comes next. You know well that the production of Iron Horses and railroads is already explained, and the problem of operation will be quite troublesome. But that’s not our problem, is it?”

“The problem of operation?”

At Sejong’s question, Hyang immediately replied.

“Railroads are closely related to the lives of the people. Therefore, in some cases, they must be operated even at a loss. Therefore, even if a merchant group is in charge of construction, the operation must be done by the country. However, what if the conclusion is that the merchant group should operate it because they built it?”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong’s answer immediately popped out.

“The country will collapse.”

Hyang also nodded and replied to Sejong’s words.

“The current Emperor’s personality would not allow such a thing to happen, but if someone among the succeeding emperors were to do such a thing, the empire would collapse.”

At Hyang’s words, the faces of Sejong and the officials changed strangely.