Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 481

Following Hyang’s orders, the four individuals who underwent training were talents recognized for their abilities.

“They’re more than worth their keep….”

Officials who heard the rumor that the four were working together under Hyang’s command nodded in agreement, showing positive reactions.

However, the collaborative work of the four was unexpectedly sluggish.

Hyang, hearing the stories through the court eunuchs, shook his head slightly and muttered.

“As expected, group projects are….”

* * *

The reason for the sluggishness of the four’s collaborative work was slightly different from what Hyang had experienced in the 21st century.

The first reason was that all four of them were not only capable but also ambitious.

The initial ideas and content of the individually submitted proposals were similar. However, in the process of fleshing them out concretely, the four clashed incessantly, each trying to make their own ideas the core.

“No! That part is wrong. The cause and effect are incorrectly linked!”

“You can’t analyze this part like that!”

“How can such a conclusion be drawn from here?”

“That’s just your opinion!”

The four clashed fiercely over every single component of the proposal.

The second reason was that the four were in a situation where it was difficult for them to mix socially.

Han Myeong-hoe and Kwon Ram entered officialdom through special appointments by Sejong. However, Seong Sam-mun and Ha Wi-ji entered officialdom through the regular civil service examination—especially Ha Wi-ji, who passed at the top of his class.

A subtle dividing line was created here.

Furthermore, a conflict arose between Han Myeong-hoe, who was skilled in improvisation, and Seong Sam-mun, who emphasized principles. Similarly, Kwon Ram, from a family of meritorious subjects of the founding of the dynasty but with a short history, and Ha Wi-ji, from a prestigious family with deep roots dating back to the Goryeo dynasty [the dynasty preceding Joseon], were at odds.

If the situation had ended there, it would have been fine.

The third reason these four were divided was the Hunminjeongeum [the original name for the Korean alphabet].

Han Myeong-hoe showed a favorable reaction, and Seong Sam-mun showed active support. However, Kwon Ram showed a cynical reaction to the Hunminjeongeum, and Ha Wi-ji disliked it.

The last reason was Hyang.

“Although the four of you are undergoing training together, it is not permissible to use differences in rank to force your opinions. Only adopt the plan that all four of you deem most reasonable and best.”

In simple terms, he ordered the four to work from an equal footing and produce the best possible outcome.

Of course, it wasn’t that Hyang didn’t know this situation would arise. He simply ignored it.

“They were only historical records, but their abilities were outstanding. I need to verify it.”

Han Myeong-hoe and Kwon Ram, key figures in the Gyeyu Jeongnan [a political coup] and later at the heart of power. Ha Wi-ji, whose abilities were so valued that Sejo constantly tried to persuade him, and Seong Sam-mun, who received Sejong’s entrustment to look after the young Crown Prince.

All of them were extraordinary individuals.

Because of this, Hyang was relentlessly putting pressure on them.

“Bring it back again!”

Whenever they submitted a result, Hyang strongly criticized any problematic areas and rejected the proposal.

As a result, the stress from Hyang’s pressure, combined with personal differences like the reasons mentioned earlier, and the pride of overestimating their own abilities, the four were constantly at odds.

Although it was only four people, they were showing a clear example of how people can be divided.

* * *

“Hmm…. I’ve heated them up enough; now I need to combine them,” Hyang mused.

After observing the situation, Hyang made that decision and called the four.

“Still no results?”

“We are sorry.”

“We are sorry.”

“We are incompetent….”

Looking at the four bowing their heads at his words, Hyang continued in a very sharp voice.

“Incompetent? I don’t think so. It must be that you overestimated your abilities, becoming too sensitive to handle such a task. Is that not so?”

“….”

At Hyang’s pointed remark, the four closed their mouths and bowed their heads. Watching their behavior, Hyang continued to apply pressure.

“Do you think I’m a joke?”

“No, we don’t!”

“How could we ever have such a preposterous thought?”

“Absolutely not!”

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

The four desperately denied it, but Hyang did not stop the pressure.

“But what is this situation now? It’s already been half a month since I entrusted you with the task, and I haven’t received anything proper in my hands. And you’re saying you don’t think I’m a joke?”

“No, we don’t!”

“Absolutely not!”

“It’s been rejected four times. If you had any intention of doing it properly, there’s no reason it would have been rejected four times. Are you trying to engage in a power struggle with me?”

“No, we’re not!”

“It’s just that we were incompetent! Please forgive us!”

“Please blame our incompetence! There was absolutely no other intention!”

The four prostrated themselves on the floor, begging for forgiveness. Watching the four, Hyang issued a final warning.

“I’ll give you five days. Create a proper proposal and submit it within five days. If you exceed this deadline, or if it is rejected due to deficiencies, then be prepared. I will make sure you can’t set foot on the streets of Hanseong’s Yukjo [the main administrative district] ever again. There will be no dismissal, and resignation will not be allowed. I will simply make you wander the countryside until you die. I will take responsibility for doing so.”

At Hyang’s declaration, the four slammed their foreheads on the floor and shouted.

“We will do our best!”

“Don’t just talk, bring the results!”

“Yes!”

The four, having received Hyang’s order to leave, bowed and left the office.

* * *

The ministers, who had visited Seungwhadang [Hyang’s residence] to coordinate policies with Hyang, witnessed this scene and screamed inwardly with pale faces.

‘He’s ruthless, so ruthless!’

‘A Crown Prince who is worse than His Majesty!’

‘I must resign before the Crown Prince ascends the throne!’

‘I need to cut back on my medicine!’

As if aware of the ministers’ feelings, Hyang turned to Hwang Hee and asked.

“Do you think I was too harsh?”

Hwang Hee shook his head at Hyang’s question.

“No, not at all. There is an old saying that the better the iron, the harder it must be hammered. Their abilities are widely known, but they are still inexperienced youngsters. If we consider the future, training is essential.”

“Thank you for thinking that way. But, by that logic, am I not also an inexperienced youngster?”

“Don’t you have enough achievements?”

“Is that so?”

At Hwang Hee’s answer, all the ministers nodded.

‘As long as there are the Research Institute and Area 51, no one will dare to question the Crown Prince’s experience or achievements.’

‘Wait? Come to think of it, the Crown Prince’s age when the Research Institute and Area 51 were created….’

‘I feel sorry for the youngsters who will work with the Crown Prince in the future…. Wait! My grandson is among them! Damn it!’

* * *

The ministers, having finished the policy meeting with Hyang, hurried back to their respective departments.

“I need to go and check it one more time. I can’t afford to be scolded at this age, can I?”

As the ministers were diligently moving, Kim Jong-seo spoke to Hwang Bo-in.

“Hey, Ji-bong.”

“Why are you calling me, Jeol-jae?”

“Looking at today’s events, don’t you think it’s a stroke of luck that we were appointed as ministers before the Crown Prince ascended the throne?”

Hwang Bo-in immediately nodded at Kim Jong-seo’s words.

“There seems to be a problem in this part. Please review it once more.”

Even if there was a problem, Hyang would say this and reject it. It was because he was still the Crown Prince. He drew a line, saying that only Sejong could grill the ministers and vice-ministers.

Having received unspoken agreement, Kim Jong-seo added.

“I thought that working under Minister Bangchon and running around until I was breathless was the worst, but after seeing today…. Ugh~.”

Kim Jong-seo shuddered as if he didn’t even want to think about it.

* * *

Meanwhile, the historian who was recording Hyang’s regency recorded everything about Hyang grilling the four and added.

-…Thus, at the command of the Crown Prince, the four left the hall in great trepidation.

The historian says:

The Crown Prince’s handling of affairs is as precise as a sharp sword, and the results are clear. Following His Majesty, the Crown Prince is also so outstanding; it is a great blessing for Joseon. However, the Crown Prince should keep in mind the saying ‘too much is as bad as too little.’

But why am I so gleeful?

Many officials were secretly pleased to hear that the four, who had subtly shown off their superiority, had been thoroughly crushed, although they did not openly express it.

* * *

Five days later, the four submitted the proposal to Hyang.

“Hmm….”

The four, with tense faces, swallowed hard and looked at Hyang.

Hyang, carefully analyzing the proposal, flipping back and forth, put it down and looked at the four.

“It’s good. It seems fine to implement it as is.”

“Hoo~. Heop!”

The four, who unknowingly let out a sigh of relief, were horrified and immediately prostrated themselves.

“We are sorry for showing such an unsightly appearance!”

“We are sorry!”

Watching the four asking for forgiveness for their mistakes, Hyang lightly waved his hand.

“It’s alright, get up.”

“We are deeply grateful.”

The four, getting up from their positions at Hyang’s command, waited for Hyang’s words with their hands respectfully folded.

“Although it took longer than expected, and there were many rejections, thanks to that, I even doubted your abilities.”

“We are sorry.”

“However, I quite like this result. Therefore, I will issue an order to you. From now on, you will become an organization and be dedicated to reviewing and supplementing the policies that I ask you to review.”

The eyes of the four widened at Hyang’s command. Representing the four, Han Myeong-hoe opened his mouth.

“Your, Your Highness, does that mean that we will continue to train and work together in the future?”

Hyang nodded at Han Myeong-hoe’s question.

“That’s exactly what I mean. Looking at this result, the four of you have come to know each other well, and you have also complemented each other’s strengths and weaknesses well. So, I am relieved and intend to entrust you with the work. Why? Are you dissatisfied? Speak if you are dissatisfied.”

He said to speak if they were dissatisfied, but the hidden meaning was clear.

‘Just say it! I’ll definitely demote you!’

In the end, the four had no choice but to accept Hyang’s command.

“We obey the command.”

“You’ve worked hard, so you may leave work today. When you come to work tomorrow, there will be a room prepared for you to work in.”

“We are deeply grateful.”

The four, with exhausted faces, trudged out of Seungwhadang. Arriving at the entrance of Geonchunmun [a palace gate], the four stopped at the same time and sighed simultaneously.

“Hoo~.”

The four, letting out a long sigh, looked at each other’s faces. Amidst looking at each other with expressions mixed with love and hate, Han Myeong-hoe opened his mouth.

“Now that it’s come to this, let’s have a drink first.”

At those words, the other three nodded at the same time, and Ha Wi-ji took the words.

“I know a pretty good place. Let’s go there.”

That’s how the Planning and Coordination Office directly under Hyang was created.

* * *

While Sejong was fulfilling his schedule with business trips and gourmet tours, Hyang was diligently performing his regency.

The tasks that Hyang handled included many that had to be processed from the Six Ministries, but there were also quite a few tasks that Hyang carried out independently.

“Your Highness, the Naeuiwon Jegu (提擧, Director of the Royal Clinic) has arrived to see you.”

At the court eunuch’s words, Hyang immediately replied.

“Let him in.”

After giving the order, Hyang muttered inwardly.

‘Has the result finally come out?’