Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 478

478. Regency (3)

Although the buildings for Yi Hyang’s regency were still under construction, Sejong immediately burdened Yi Hyang with work.

“Knowing how to handle work from the start is the way to be comfortable in the future.”

“…Yes, Father.”

Following Sejong’s orders, Yi Hyang used the empty rooms in the East Palace—the former research lab—to manage his responsibilities.

Around Yi Hyang’s main office, officials from the Cheomsawon [Office for Astronomical Observations] sorted documents arriving from the administrative departments.

“He’s really determined to work me hard. Haa….”

Yi Hyang sighed deeply, looking at the overwhelming flood of documents rushing toward him.

In principle, decisions regarding foreign affairs, defense, and personnel matters were Sejong’s responsibility.

However, Sejong passed even these tasks on to Yi Hyang.

“You need to learn how to handle these in advance. I’ll just approve them.”

In other words, Yi Hyang had to sort through all the documents related to foreign affairs, defense, and personnel matters first, and then Sejong would only review the results and decide whether to approve them.

Thanks to this, Sejong had an extraordinary amount of free time. Using this newfound time as an asset, Sejong started new projects.

“Hmm…. Shall we take a look?”

* * *

Using his increased free time, Sejong began to scrutinize the agencies attached to the administrative departments.

The first to be examined closely was the Joseon National Music Institute, led by Park Yeon.

“I instructed you to organize the common songs that the people sing, but why are the results like this? Do you still consider common songs to be vulgar and ignore them?”

“That’s not….”

“If that’s not the case, then what is it?”

“…We will do it properly.”

“Do it right. I will be watching closely.”

“We will do our best!”

After thoroughly reviewing the Joseon National Music Institute, Sejong headed to the Entertainment Agency.

“Bring me the documents. Bring me the final versions, as well as the documents sent from the general entertainment halls in the provinces.”

At Sejong’s short and concise command, Anpyeong froze and handed over the documents.

“H-Here they are!”

“Hmm…. Let’s see.”

Seated at the desk where Anpyeong usually worked, Sejong put on his glasses and began to examine the documents.

While Sejong reviewed the documents, Anpyeong stood at attention in front of the desk, waiting. He had already heard the news that Park Yeon had been reprimanded.

“Huh? Hmm….”

As he examined the documents coming from all over Joseon, Sejong soon began to select a few.

“This is a bit strange. Anpyeong.”

“Yes! Your Majesty!”

Normally, the word ‘Father’ would have come out, but Anpyeong was so tense that the word ‘Your Majesty’ came out immediately.

Sejong glanced at Anpyeong and showed him several reports.

“As far as I know, these regions have similar populations and tax payment amounts. However, there is some difference in the revenue coming into the general entertainment halls. Go to the Ministry of Finance and the General Affairs Department right now and bring the household registers and tax payment ledgers for the last three years for the regions I have selected.”

“Yes! Your Majesty!”

Soon after, officials from the Entertainment Agency returned with the documents, following Sejong’s instructions.

“Let’s use the conference room.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Following Sejong’s command, the officials laid out the documents on the long table in the center of the conference room.

Sejong examined the books, which contained three years of records from the counties he had designated, arranged in chronological order, and soon nodded.

“Indeed…. Anpyeong, come here.”

With Anpyeong standing next to him, Sejong explained, pointing to the contents of the books.

“Look here. These eight counties have similar populations and pay similar amounts of taxes each year. But compare the revenue of the general entertainment halls in these two counties on the left with the rest of the counties.”

Anpyeong, examining the documents at Sejong’s command, muttered with a serious face.

“The revenue is much lower.”

“Right? What do you think is the reason?”

“That is….”

Anpyeong couldn’t answer Sejong’s question immediately. The first thing that came to mind was embezzlement. But saying that directly would be like admitting his own incompetence. Therefore, Anpyeong couldn’t answer properly.

Knowing Anpyeong’s thoughts, Sejong answered himself.

“The most suspicious thing would be embezzlement. Even though the Gyeongjang [land reform] has been implemented and the salaries of officials have increased, people’s greed is endless.”

“But isn’t the punishment for embezzlement very severe?”

“They must be thinking, ‘I’m confident I won’t get caught!’ It’s true that it’s difficult for the central government to investigate all the reports coming from all over Joseon.”

“Still….”

Seeing Anpyeong’s discomfort at the suspicion that his subordinates were committing corruption, Sejong continued.

“The second most suspicious thing is probably the lack of ability of the officials? The skills of the gisaengs [female entertainers] who show off their singing and dancing at the general entertainment halls are lacking, or the level of other attractions is too poor to be entertaining. You’ve heard of it, haven’t you? The story of the idlers who travel around the country to see the games of famous Go players.”

“Yes.”

The example Sejong mentioned was a famous story.

* * *

As general entertainment halls were created, Go competition venues were also established.

Before long, the best players from each county began to appear one by one, and the masters from nearby counties began to compete to determine their superiority.

This was expected by Yi Hyang and the officials, so rules such as time limits were soon created, and a national Go tournament was held.

In this way, a fierce competition was held every year for the position of Guksu (國手) [National Hand], the best Go player in Joseon.

And in the county where the Guksu was located, idlers who knew a thing or two about Go gathered from all over Joseon to watch the Guksu’s games.

When people gathered like this, the county was soon overflowing with money. This was because of the money spent by those who gathered to eat and sleep.

Thanks to this, parents who thought their children had some talent in Go began to ask famous Go players to train them.

* * *

“Therefore, prepare for a business trip.”

“Yes?”

Anpyeong looked puzzled at the sudden order for a business trip, so Sejong explained further.

“It seems difficult to know the real situation of entertainment-related matters properly by receiving many documents in Hanseong [Seoul]. Fun is a very personal aspect. And even if it is embezzlement, it is difficult to find if they are determined to hide it properly. In such cases, you have to investigate in person. So, prepare for a business trip. I also have to write a plan and give it to the Crown Prince, so let’s leave in three days.”

“Yes? Yes.”

Having finished his business, Sejong left the Entertainment Agency. Anpyeong, who was escorting Sejong to Gyeongbok Palace, tilted his head.

“He seems excited for some reason? Anyway….”

Anpyeong trailed off and his expression brightened.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a business trip! How long has it been! I am overwhelmed by His Majesty’s grace!”

* * *

That evening, Yi Hyang received the business trip plan and schedule written by Sejong.

“I understand why you’re going on a business trip, but….”

Yi Hyang looked at the plan and schedule sent by Sejong with suspicious eyes and suddenly counted on his fingers. After counting on his fingers several times, Yi Hyang muttered to himself without realizing it.

“This guy….”

Yi Hyang suddenly stopped talking and looked back at the eunuch.

“Leave for a moment.”

“Yes?”

“Leave.”

“Yes.”

After sending the eunuch out, Yi Hyang finally complained comfortably.

“This man…. How could he pick the dates that the markets are open? And….”

Yi Hyang picked up the schedule and walked to the map hanging on one wall. After searching the route by pointing at the map with his finger, Yi Hyang soon turned his head.

“Eunuch!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“Go to my study right now and bring the geography book!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Soon after, Yi Hyang sighed as he flipped through the geography book that the eunuch had brought.

“Hoo~. I knew it.”

The path that Sejong was going to take definitely had counties where famous delicacies were produced. And on the day he arrived in that county, the word ‘Rest’ was invariably written.

Looking at the schedule, Yi Hyang raised his voice in his mind.

‘Are you trying to work a 5-day week in Joseon at this time! Even the officials work a 6-day week!’

Yi Hyang, who was grumbling inwardly, soon made an understanding expression.

“Well, he’s hardly had a proper rest until now….”

* * *

Looking at the holidays of Joseon officials, they were guaranteed five days of vacation each month. Usually, the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd were fixed holidays, and the remaining day was one of the 24 solar terms [points in the ecliptic longitude].

In addition, there were holidays guaranteed according to the internal regulations of each department, and paid leave was also guaranteed.

Of course, holidays such as New Year’s Day and Chuseok [Korean Thanksgiving] were also holidays.

Therefore, when the new year’s calendar came out, the Seowoongwan [Office of Royal Decrees] was crowded with officials. This was to find out how many consecutive holidays were created by the overlapping of regular holidays and seasonal holidays.

Whenever he saw that sight, Yi Hyang muttered to himself.

“Counting the days off when the calendar comes out is the same now as it is in the 21st century….”

However, the king had no holidays. He could rest on holidays such as New Year’s Day, Daeboreum [First Full Moon Festival], Chuseok, and Dano [Spring Festival], but the job of being a king did not have legally guaranteed holidays.

The only time the king could rest other than holidays was when high-ranking officials of the second rank or higher died.

In that respect, Sejong was truly unlucky. Thanks to the tonics that came and went, there were truly many long-lived officials.

* * *

In any case, it was Sejong’s decision, and Yi Hyang had no veto power.

After reviewing the schedule and plan again, Yi Hyang soon created a new document and handed it to the eunuch.

“Deliver these documents to the Railroad Administration, Naegeumwi [Royal Guards], and the Ministry of National Defense immediately. Make sure to emphasize that it must be completed within two days.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The eunuch who received the documents disappeared outside in a hurry.

According to Sejong’s schedule and Yi Hyang’s orders, special trains, carts, and escort troops would be organized.

After writing and sending out the order, Yi Hyang hesitated for a moment and soon called another eunuch.

“Bring the Daeryeongsuksu [Head Cook] here immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Soon after, the Daeryeongsuksu, who had received Yi Hyang’s call, rushed over in a hurry. Yi Hyang, who received the Daeryeongsuksu’s greeting, immediately gave an order.

“Follow His Majesty on this trip and carefully check where and what food he eats. If he only eats meat dishes, make sure to encourage him to eat vegetables as well.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And if there is any food that His Majesty particularly liked, be sure to record what kind of food it is from which region, and even record the recipe.”

“Yes?”

“Are you going to make him go all the way there again if His Majesty wants to eat that food again later?”

The Daeryeongsuksu, who had been puzzled by Yi Hyang’s explanation, immediately understood and answered loudly.

“N-No, Your Highness! I will definitely record everything without fail!”

* * *

Three days later, Sejong set out on his business trip. Yi Hyang, who had come to see him off at the entrance of Gyeongbok Palace, smiled slightly when he saw Queen Soheon standing next to Sejong.

‘The historians will say that he can’t distinguish between public and private matters, but it looks good!’

And so, Sejong’s ‘gourmet trip’ disguised as a business trip began.