Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 532

532. Rolling, Rolling… (13)

Not long before Hyang identified the signs of unrest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a report that strange movements were circulating among the intellectuals of Ming.

“Ming people should use goods from Ming! That is loyalty (忠)!” [Loyalty in this context refers to supporting one’s own country by buying local products.]

The intellectuals of Ming were crying out like this, encouraging the purchase of goods made by Ming merchants.

However, the amount of wealth coming in through the goods sold to Ming did not change significantly, so interest in the rumor quickly faded.

However, upon hearing this rumor, Hyang immediately felt a sense of crisis.

“There’s no reason why a campaign to promote local products can’t happen in other countries at this time!”

Sensing the crisis, Hyang immediately gathered data and began analyzing it, identifying the signs of unrest.

* * *

After identifying the signs of unrest, Hyang immediately sent a letter to Sejong, who was staying in Shinji.

It was a report that identified the causal relationships and warning signs hidden among many seemingly unrelated data.

“Father will surely recognize the danger. I hope the reply comes quickly….”

Perhaps Hyang’s wish was granted, as Sejong’s reply arrived via the very next regular mail. Considering the sailing time between Joseon and Shinji, and the distance between the bridgehead and where Sejong was, this was a very quick reply.

“Father also recognized the seriousness of the matter. That’s a relief.”

Hyang immediately tore open the seal of the sealed letter.

The sentences in the letter sent by Sejong were short and simple, but the weight of the content was heavy.

-I delegate full authority (全權) to you, so do your best to resolve the crisis. [Full authority means Hyang has complete power to make decisions.]

Your father believes in you.

After confirming the contents of the letter, Hyang gave a bitter smile.

“That last sentence is the scariest. Anyway, I got permission, so I have to move.”

* * *

“…And so, His Highness the Crown Prince established the plan, and the Prime Minister and I were in charge of executing it. And, because of the seriousness of the matter, not even the Royal Secretariat or the historians know about it.”

Having said that, Kim Jeom leaned back in his chair with a relieved expression, closing his eyes.

Jo Mal-saeng, who had been watching Kim Jeom’s expression, turned to Hwang Hee.

“Why didn’t the Prime Minister tell us? We are also subjects of this Joseon.”

In response to Jo Mal-saeng’s criticism, other ministers nodded and added a word each.

“That’s right! We are also subjects of Joseon!”

“If it was because you doubted our loyalty, we would be disappointed!”

“Have you forgotten the saying, ‘Even a blank sheet of paper is better when held together’? Why did you leave us out?”

“We also know the situation in our Joseon, don’t we? To properly understand what is happening in all walks of life throughout Joseon, you must not exclude us!”

“That’s right! The more people put their heads together, the faster we can obtain better means and results!”

In an instant, the conference room echoed with the voices of the ministers’ accusations.

As the ministers’ accusations, which had been pouring down like a shower, subsided, Hwang Hee, who had been silent until then, opened his mouth.

“That’s why I was keeping my mouth shut.”

“What kind of sophistry is that again?”

To Jo Mal-saeng’s sharp question, Hwang Hee replied briefly.

“If you were asked to find the easiest and fastest way to solve a problem that arises between a strong country and a weak country, especially a problem closely related to the lives of the people, such as economics, what would come to mind first?”

At Hwang Hee’s question, Jo Mal-saeng paused for a moment before asking back.

“Are you worried about military conflict?”

Hwang Hee nodded at Jo Mal-saeng’s question, and Kim Jeom took over.

“Is there any country other than Ming that can handle Joseon’s power on the road from here in Hanseong [The capital of Joseon] to Alexandria? No, even with just the naval power excluding the land-based troops.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Jo Mal-saeng immediately replied.

“Except for the Cheonchuk Kingdom [An ancient name for India], there is none. Ah! If there is enough time and support, we can occupy the entire Cheonchuk Kingdom as well.”

“After the occupation? How will you maintain it after the occupation?”

“Huh? That is….”

Jo Mal-saeng trailed off at Kim Jeom’s continued question. Seeing that, Hwang Hee continued.

“Yugu, Seomra, Daewol, Mullaka, Cheonchuk, etc., all the large and small countries around the sea route have a history of no short duration and have experience resisting foreign powers. If our Joseon engages in military conflict, will they stand still? Even if our Joseon has the military power to annex them all, do we have the military power to suppress all their resistance even after that? In particular, if that happens, Ming will support them, so do we have the power to defeat Ming and their alliance?”

In response to Hwang Hee’s question, Jo Mal-saeng replied in a gloomy voice.

“No, we don’t. But….”

Hwang Hee cut off Jo Mal-saeng’s attempt to add words in one stroke.

“However, it may be possible if we concentrate the budget on the military. Then, this country will become a military state (兵營國家)! [A nation focused primarily on military strength and readiness] If that happens, even His Majesty will be at the mercy of the military, and the worst situation of the military regime of the previous dynasty will be reborn!”

The ministers, who had been accusing Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom until just now, closed their mouths and became serious.

“Of course, there was much discussion with His Highness the Crown Prince about whether to keep it a secret or to disclose everything and follow the agreement. However, the possibility of adopting an active foreign policy using force was high, so it was kept secret.”

When Hwang Hee’s words were finished, the ministers nodded. At that time, Kim Jong-seo, who had been quietly watching, opened his mouth.

“Even so, it is dangerous for a small number of people to secretly determine and operate the major framework of state affairs. Secret politics is also a shortcut to take a quick and easy path. If something goes wrong, corruption of state affairs may occur. It must never be made a precedent (常例, always happening). [This refers to setting a dangerous example that could be repeated.] If you were so worried about military conflict, you should have been prepared to persuade the ministers, even at the cost of time. That is the right way.”

“But, time….”

Kim Jong-seo cut off Hwang Hee’s words, who was about to talk about time efficiency.

“The crisis is not just around the corner for a day or two, a year or two, is it? To prevent the path to power corruption, it is worth taking the risk.”

Huh Hoo asked a question to Kim Jong-seo’s claim.

“With His Highness’s personality, shouldn’t we not worry about that part? Of course, I am also unhappy that things have progressed without me, the minister, but on the other hand, it is understandable.”

Kim Jong-seo shook his head at Huh Hoo’s words.

“I’m not worried about His Highness’s personality. The problem is the future.”

With those words, Kim Jong-seo closed his mouth. However, there was no one who did not know what Kim Jong-seo wanted to say.

-What if the next or the next king to ascend the throne is a bad ruler in a situation where such secret politics has become a precedent?

The ministers, who thought about the situation at that time, shook their heads without realizing it.

‘That’s terrible.’

In the end, the situation was settled with Hwang Hee apologizing.

“This time, it was my fault. I should have paid more attention, but I was lacking. I’m sorry.”

The atmosphere of the ministers quickly softened at Hwang Hee’s apology. The reason why it could soften so quickly was because Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom had not secretly promoted the work for personal greed.

In that softened situation, Kim Jong-seo was the first to speak.

“I understood up to the point of managing Shinji instead of taking over the southwestern countries where the market has already been formed and the distance is close. What level of goal did His Majesty set?”

Kim Jeom replied briefly to Kim Jong-seo’s question.

“The ultimate goal is Ming.”

“Are you planning to undermine Ming? Or are you planning to grow it into a strong country similar to Ming?”

“The latter. To explain further….”

Kim Jeom paused for a moment and rummaged through the books before turning to Hwang Hee.

“I’m a little unprepared to explain it in this place right now….”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hwang Hee turned to the ministers.

“I want to explain it properly tomorrow, would that be okay?”

The ministers nodded at Hwang Hee’s suggestion.

“Let’s do that.”

“It’s better to listen properly when you listen.”

The ministers, who had reached an agreement, got up from their seats one by one and left the conference room.

“Jong-seo, stay behind for a bit.”

“C….”

Kim Jong-seo, who was about to cross the threshold at Hwang Hee’s harsh voice from behind, cursed inwardly and soon turned around.

“Why are you doing this?”

“You son of a bitch! Did you have to embarrass me like that in this place! I’ve been so lenient with you, and you’re stabbing me in the back!”

As Hwang Hee shouted, Kim Jong-seo retorted.

“So, why did you hide it and cause trouble! Who told you to hide it?”

“You son of a bitch! For the smooth operation of state affairs….”

“I’m the Chief of General Affairs! Chief! Of! General! Affairs! It is my job to manage the overall administration of this Joseon! At least you should have told me!”

“….”

Hwang Hee, who had nothing to say at Kim Jong-seo’s criticism, soon sighed.

“Hoo~. I raised a tiger cub.”

“Yes, you raised me very well. While 털어가면서 [While taking everything from me].”

Hwang Hee shook his head at Kim Jong-seo’s words.

“A guy who is over 60 years old speaks so lightly….”

“I learned it from someone who is over 90 years old and says ‘you son of a bitch, that son of a bitch’ whenever he gets the chance.”

“You son of a bitch, get out!”

* * *

The next day, the ministers gathered in Seungwhadang.

The eyes of the ministers gathered in the Seungwhadang conference room were focused on the seat where Kim Jeom was sitting. Kim Jeom, who had twice as many books in front of him as yesterday, explained the reason.

“There is a lot to explain. It would be convenient to make a hanging picture (掛圖) [A large visual aid, like a chart or map] or print it in large quantities by summarizing it into a few sheets, but there is a concern about leakage of secrets, so things have become a bit cumbersome.”

“Ah! I understand.”

The ministers nodded at Kim Jeom’s explanation.

After a while, Hyang entered the conference room, and the ministers rose from their seats and paid their respects to Hyang.

Hyang, answering the ministers’ greetings, started the schedule by apologizing.

“I heard about what happened yesterday. Everything was not the Prime Minister’s fault, but it was because I insisted on it. I made such a mistake because I am still inexperienced, so please forgive me.”

“Ah, no!”

The ministers replied that it was okay to Hyang’s apology. The atmosphere of the ministers receiving Hyang’s apology was quite good.

‘The Crown Prince was also a human being!’

‘Looking at what he has been doing, he was not like his age, but the Crown Prince was also a human being!’

In that warm atmosphere, Kim Jeom got to the point.

“First of all, I would like you to look at the unfolded part of the book I am holding, turning it around.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, the ministers looked at the unfolded part, turning it around.

“As you can see, all trade with other countries except Cheonchuk is showing a surplus.”

“We are seeing a considerable deficit with Cheonchuk, the reason is….”

The ministers who were looking at the contents all looked at Jo Mal-saeng.

“It’s because of saltpeter….”

The next day

Kim Jeom’s explanation continued.

Of course, most of the content was to explain in more detail what he had said yesterday, with more specific examples.

Then, in the second half of the meeting, they entered the main topic with Ming as the theme.

Author’s words.

Hello?

This is Gukbbong, who is writing ‘Black Company Joseon’.

I am sorry to inform you that I am late for two days in a row and that I have failed to serialize on Monday.

I went to the hospital yesterday with abdominal pain and diarrhea. It was diagnosed as a simple stomachache and I took medicine, but then I kept getting nauseous because I was resentful. And I’m still in that state.

Thanks to this, I failed to control my condition and caused a problem, and I am writing this apology.

It is the duty of the writer not to cause problems in serialization, but I am sorry that I could not keep this duty.

I will do my best to recover my condition as soon as possible and keep the serialization schedule.

The Monday serialization will be a ‘Josammoosa’ serialization that will be uploaded together with Tuesday’s on Tuesday.

I cannot hide my sorry heart for causing problems in serialization.

I hope that the readers will also be free from health problems.