Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 440

440. Laying the Groundwork (2)

Kim Jeom’s promotion to Junior Deputy Prime Minister did nothing to ease his workload. In fact, it increased, as his responsibilities now included directing the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as reviewing and adjusting budgets.

“As if I don’t already have mountains of work, you’re just piling more on! People should have some conscience!”

Unable to contain his frustration, Kim Jeom’s voice rose.

“Summon the Naval Commander!”

* * *

Eventually, the situation was defused only after Hwang Hee and the Chief of Staff intervened.

“Wasn’t the navy also uncertain about this? It just so happened that these issues arose simultaneously, so shouldn’t we try to be understanding?” Hwang Hee said, trying to smooth things over.

The Chief of Staff quickly added, “That’s right. We didn’t anticipate the Westerners arriving in Aden so quickly, nor did we expect to discover an unclaimed territory, presumed to be a continent, during the eastern exploration.”

Following Hwang Hee’s lead, the Chief of Staff offered his support, and the Naval Commander concluded, “Indeed. Surely, our navy wouldn’t knowingly create such a situation. These events were beyond our control.”

Seeing the military so vehemently proclaiming their innocence, Kim Jeom exploded. “You people! What about the budget then! The budget! If you initiate something, you need to provide a solution!”

At Kim Jeom’s outburst, the Naval Commander cautiously began, “Of course, a considerable increase will be needed…”

“You! That means taxes will increase! Do you think the people will just stand idly by! Even the farmers in the fields are worrying about how to reduce their taxes these days!”

Kim Jeom’s scolding silenced the Naval Commander.

* * *

As Kim Jeom said, the people of Joseon, now accustomed to the benefits of money, were making every effort to avoid taxes, or at least minimize them.

The easiest way to minimize taxes was by having many children. To address the insufficient population, the court provided economic support and tax benefits to families with many children—at least five.

Moreover, it wasn’t just simple economic support; there was a growing trend of establishing communal childcare facilities in more and more regions.

With the court and the people working together, Joseon’s population began to increase rapidly.

* * *

“How about releasing some of the gold and silver that we’ve been mining and hoarding all this time?”

Hwang Hee’s suggestion only made Kim Jeom’s expression darken further.

“Do you know what will happen if we release that recklessly? Do you want to see the country destabilized by inflation?”

“If we release it moderately…”

“Do you think ‘moderately’ will solve the situation we’re in now?”

“…”

Kim Jeom’s sharp retort silenced Hwang Hee. Among those present, Kim Jeom was the most knowledgeable about economics. He was always cautious when money was discussed, but he had never reacted so strongly, so Hwang Hee decided to remain silent.

“If we mess this up, the currency circulation that we’ve worked so hard to stabilize will be destroyed! If that happens, the woman in Geunjeongjeon [the Queen]…”

At that moment, Hwang Hee kicked Kim Jeom in the shin.

“Ouch!”

“Ahem! Ahem!”

“Ahem!”

With a yelp, Kim Jeom regained his composure, and Hwang Hee and the others around him coughed in unison, pretending not to notice.

Regaining his composure, Kim Jeom cleared his throat and summarized his opinion. “Ahem! Ahem! The conclusion is that all policies regarding naval expansion must be re-evaluated immediately! We need to re-examine and adjust everything, starting with the establishment of overseas naval bases. And the best way to proceed is to inform His Majesty and follow his decision.”

“Let’s do that.”

With Hwang Hee’s agreement, the situation was settled, pending Sejong’s decision.

After the meeting, Hwang Hee pulled Kim Jeom aside and offered a word of caution. “There’s a saying among the commoners, ‘Even the king is criticized behind his back,’ but let’s be careful. I understand why you’re angry, but we should still be cautious, shouldn’t we?”

“Hmph! I’m not scared! At worst, I’ll be dismissed, exiled, or sent to the Records Office. Compared to wrestling with the budget, that’s a piece of cake! Now that you mention it, I should write my resignation letter!”

Kim Jeom, who had been so high and mighty, became tearful at Hwang Hee’s next words.

“Dismissal, exile, or the Records Office would be fortunate. Didn’t you consider that you might end up like me?”

“Damn it…”

* * *

As the matter was significant, the issue was immediately brought to Sejong along with Kang Nam-gil’s report.

“Hmm…. It’s certainly good news, but also bad news.”

Kim Jeom immediately spoke up at Sejong’s assessment, which captured the essence of the problem. “That is correct. If possible, I would like to deeply conceal the discovery of the unclaimed territory…”

“Absolutely not!”

Suddenly, Hyang interrupted Kim Jeom with an urgent tone. Everyone in Geunjeongjeon turned their attention to Hyang, who was behaving unlike his usual self.

“I was just thinking that…” Kim Jeom started to say, but Hyang immediately cut him off.

“Don’t even think about it! Hasn’t that thought been acted upon before? I’m talking about the Vacant Island Policy [a policy of forced evacuation of island inhabitants].”

Kim Jeom fell silent when Hyang mentioned the Vacant Island Policy.

During Taejong’s reign, residents of inhabited islands, including Mureungdo (Ulleungdo), were relocated to the mainland due to damage from Japanese pirates and the problem of criminals fleeing there.

This policy was abolished after the Joseon navy secured naval supremacy during Sejong’s reforms.

“Crown Prince, I understand what you want to say, but you must not forget to follow the proper procedures,” Sejong said sternly.

At Sejong’s rebuke, Hyang immediately bowed his head. “I apologize. But the matter was too urgent…”

Sejong’s eyes gleamed at Hyang’s response. “You didn’t show this kind of behavior when the urgent report came that Westerners had appeared in Aden last time. But you’re showing such a flustered appearance this time, which is truly strange. What is the reason?”

Hyang immediately explained the reason for Sejong’s question. “Just as our navy thought of going east, there will be those among the Westerners who have similar ideas. This means that before long, the Westerners will also learn about that unclaimed territory. We must seize it first, both economically and militarily. Only then will it benefit our Joseon.”

‘A chance to gobble up land that’s practically a cheat code has come, and it would be foolish to miss it!’

As Hyang was thinking this, Sejong stroked his beard and muttered, “That’s right. People’s thoughts are similar, so considering the time and cost, it’s natural that there will be those who have similar ideas…”

Sejong pondered Hyang’s words, nodding, and turned to Kim Jeom. “The Junior Deputy Prime Minister will have to work hard.”

With that, everything was decided.

In the end, Kim Jeom replied with a tearful voice, “I obey the command.”

Sejong, looking at Kim Jeom with tears welling up in his eyes and a pitiful expression, turned his gaze to Jo Mal-saeng, the Chief of Staff, and the Naval Commander.

“The situation has developed this way, and our Joseon’s capabilities are limited, so the navy will have to make a choice. Decide on the two most necessary naval bases to be established overseas. Where would be good?”

“Those places are already minimized.”

“Reduce them further.”

At Sejong’s firm demand, the Naval Commander pondered for a long time before answering. “Chittagong and Temasek.”

“That aligns with my thinking. Then let’s proceed with establishing only those two for now. We can add the others later when the situation improves.”

“I obey the command.”

With the situation settled, Sejong moved on to the next topic.

“It seems that more Challenger-class battleships will be needed to facilitate the exploration of this newly discovered unclaimed territory, is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

“Then discuss that part with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and adjust the ratio.”

* * *

“Crown Prince, remain for a moment.”

Hyang, who was about to leave Geunjeongjeon after the meeting regarding the unclaimed territory, was stopped by Sejong.

As Hyang sat back down, Sejong asked him, “Given the situation, I have no choice but to press you. What is the status of the steam engine to be installed on the battleships?”

“The development of the engine itself is almost complete, but the problem with the propeller is still holding us back.”

“Propeller? At that time, didn’t you say that the screw propeller could be put into practical use the fastest?”

“Trial and error is underway to find the optimal size ratio.”

“I’ll give you one year. Produce results within that time.”

“Time and budget…”

“Tss…”

As the ‘tss’ sound escaped Sejong’s lips, Hyang immediately closed his mouth.

Sejong glared at Hyang for a moment, then quickly composed his expression and continued. “And, as you can see from this report, traveling to and from the unclaimed territory, which hasn’t even been named yet, takes a considerable amount of time. Therefore, it is certain that making that unclaimed territory a part of Joseon’s territory will require a different approach than before. Contemplate this and report it in writing.”

“I obey the command.”

“I’ll give you three days.”

At the three-day time limit, Hyang stared blankly at Sejong.

“Shall I increase it by one day each time, but cut the budget by 10%?”

“I will complete it and submit it within three days!”

Watching Hyang hurriedly bow and disappear, Sejong chuckled and muttered, “Even so, the conclusion will be either a regency or abdication…. What I want is what you’re thinking as an intermediate step. The problem of how to operate Joseon, which will greatly expand in the future. I need to know that to know what the Joseon you will lead will look like, and to refine it.”

Saying that, Sejong chuckled once more.

“But will there be anything I can refine?”

* * *

Hyang, who had left Geunjeongjeon, looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.

“Hoo~. I dug my own grave…. Even if we skip the intermediate process, the final choice is either abdication or regency…. Or is abdication the most likely?”

‘Abdication or regency.’

Sejong and Hyang both knew well that the final choice was one of the two.

As the distance was great, the person dispatched to the New World to oversee colonization would certainly be guaranteed considerable authority.

In this case, the probability of leading to rebellion or independence over time is very high. Especially if someone who has the power to control that continent, which is practically a cheat code, will definitely become independent.

Therefore, Sejong was the only one who could go to that New World and direct everything without any problems.

Of course, he could choose the method of Hyang going. However, sending the Crown Prince, who will succeed to the throne, to a land where anything could happen was an unreasonable move.

In the end, only abdication or regency was the answer.

Hyang continued to walk, organizing his thoughts.

“Abama [father, in a respectful tone, referring to the King] knows this for sure. But he gave this order? Then, what Abama is asking of me is the intermediate process. That is…”

Stopping his words and stopping his steps at the same time, Hyang turned towards Geunjeongjeon and came to a conclusion.

“What Abama wants is a picture of the future Joseon. He wants to know what the future Joseon that I and my descendants will lead will look like.”