Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 594

594. Opening the Heavens – Rolling Again Today (2)

As Sejong mentioned, a ‘considerable’ amount of luggage was being unloaded, and people were continuously disembarking from the ship.

Most were Joseon citizens returning as part of crew rotations, but there were also several dozen people in unfamiliar attire—though not unfamiliar to Hyang.

Seeing them, Hyang immediately asked Sejong,

“Father, who are those people?”

“They are the chiefs, leading warriors, and officials from Shinji.”

“Officials?”

Hyang’s eyes widened in surprise. Sejong smiled and explained,

“It was quite difficult to manage Shinji’s administration solely with people from Joseon. So, we educated residents of Shinji and appointed them as officials. While their understanding of Confucian teachings is limited, they are very competent in practical matters. We have greatly benefited from the virtues of Jeong-eum [the Korean alphabet, also known as Hangeul].”

“You mean it was resolved just by mastering Jeong-eum?”

Hyang looked at Sejong, disbelieving. Even in the 21st century, Hangeul was considered the world’s most excellent script due to its ease of learning, but Korean itself was still a difficult language.

Sejong replied with an even deeper smile.

“Isn’t power a very good incentive?”

“Ah….”

Hyang nodded at Sejong’s words.

The late Joseon Dynasty in the history before Hyang’s intervention had a similar situation. Records showed that Joseon people learned English faster than anyone else when English proficiency became essential for obtaining official positions.

As he nodded, Hyang had another question.

“But why did you bring them here?”

“There are several reasons, but the biggest is that we successfully integrated the largest tribes in Shinji as Joseon citizens. I wanted to tell you right away, but the war was imminent, and then it broke out, so I didn’t inform you.”

Sejong spoke as if it were nothing, leaving Hyang dumbfounded.

‘In just four years? He not only incorporated the natives as citizens but also trained them as officials? This man is truly extraordinary!’

Sejong had left for Shinji in the year Gapja (1444). Now, upon his return, it was the year Mujin (1448).

As if reading Hyang’s mind, Sejong added,

“When I went, the situation was almost ripe. There was just no one to make the final adjustments and decisions. I was very lucky.”

“Ah, yes….”

‘I’ll believe that. It’s better for my mental health.’

Hyang muttered inwardly, a sentiment that would have shocked those who had suffered under him—especially the ministers. Seeing Hyang’s expression, Sejong narrowed his eyes and asked.

“Why do you look like that?”

“Ah, it’s nothing!”

Hyang hurriedly composed himself and continued his questions.

“That’s truly good news! All the officials in the court will be very pleased, and our Joseon will surely establish itself as an empire. But why did you bring the native officials? I can understand the chiefs and leading warriors to some extent, but not the officials.”

“To properly establish Shinji’s administrative department, shouldn’t they be properly educated? And before Joseon becomes an empire, we need to reorganize once again. And….”

Sejong paused, then asked Hyang with a stern expression.

“I believe in you, but you have properly analyzed the lessons learned from this war, haven’t you?”

“Yes. We have analyzed not only the military that directly carried out the war but also all the administrative departments that were in charge of support from the rear.”

“Well done. Those lessons will be re-analyzed by them.”

“Yes?”

When Hyang didn’t understand, Sejong narrowed his eyes again.

“Huh? You didn’t understand what I was trying to do? The old you….”

Sensing a scolding was imminent, Hyang hurriedly replied.

“Ah, no. Certainly, an outsider’s perspective can identify problems that insiders have missed. The only issue is that they are new to officialdom.”

Sejong’s expression relaxed. Smiling again, he explained.

“Do you know when a scholar learns greatly once again? It is when teaching disciples. To give teachings that are easy for disciples with limited knowledge to understand, the teacher must re-examine what he has learned. Furthermore, by answering questions from disciples unconstrained by existing frameworks, one can find and correct misunderstandings. That’s why I brought them.”

“Ah, that’s indeed true. I now understand your deep intentions, Father!”

While constantly agreeing with Sejong, Hyang was sweating inwardly.

‘There’s going to be wailing!’

The ministers following behind the two princes felt the same.

‘The King is still the King!’

‘I should have collapsed from illness before the King returned! That damn tonic!’

‘I should have written a resignation letter! A resignation letter!’

Fearing more terrifying work-related stories, Hyang quickly changed the subject.

“Father, how was life in Shinji? Your complexion has improved.”

This wasn’t flattery. Compared to before leaving for Shinji, Sejong had lost weight and looked healthier.

“Is that so? Shinji is very vast. I enjoyed various activities, including horseback riding. Among them, I enjoyed Gyeokgu [a traditional Korean polo-like game] the most.”

“You mean Gyeokgu?”

Hyang was slightly doubtful.

To improve one’s health to that extent with Gyeokgu, which is similar to golf or gateball, one would have to play almost every day. Of course, it might have been possible for Sejong, who enjoyed Gyeokgu all night long on Gyeongshin days [days in the sexagenary cycle considered auspicious for leisure].

The problem was that the situation in Shinji wasn’t conducive to Sejong playing Gyeokgu every day. If he had, no matter how outstanding Sejong was, he couldn’t have achieved the results he claimed.

Seeing Hyang’s expression, Sejong continued brightly.

“I tweaked Gyeokgu a bit. And that Gyeokgu was a great help.”

“Yes?”

* * *

What troubled Sejong most upon arriving in Shinji was integrating the natives under Joseon’s influence.

The vastness of the areas where the native tribes lived made it difficult to achieve quick results using only the Monopoly Bureau [a Joseon government agency]. However, using force would certainly create even bigger problems in the future.

“What to do about this?”

Whenever he got a headache, Sejong would go outside to clear his head.

At first, he mainly rode a horse. Shinji’s vast land was perfect for it.

However, horseback riding soon lost its appeal. Due to safety concerns, many guards had to accompany him, making it unsuitable for contemplation and clearing his head alone. Besides, horseback riding itself wasn’t safe enough to allow him to think about other things.

In addition, Sejong didn’t really like horseback riding because of his weight.

“I’m in pain, and the horse is also in pain.”

Sejong distanced himself from horseback riding, making such jokes. Thanks to Hyang’s ‘Healthy Pig Making Project,’ he had become healthier, but he still didn’t really like it. Therefore, Sejong rarely rode a horse unless it was an urgent matter like the great fire in Hanseong [Seoul] in the past.

This led Sejong to find another way to relieve stress.

“Drinking and dancing won’t be of much help….”

Shinji lacked the amenities for drinking and dancing, and the censors from the Office of the Inspector General who had followed him would certainly complain.

“Not only the censors but also the Crown Prince will surely be noisy, so I need something that allows me to move alone and enjoy contemplation.”

While worrying, Sejong’s eyes sparkled one day while playing Gyeokgu.

“This is it!”

* * *

“So, I tweaked the rules of Gyeokgu a bit to create a game. First, I changed it from 10 or 20 people dividing into teams to two or three people competing, and the distance to the Waah (窩兒) [the hole or target] was set to at least 100 Jang (approximately 300m). I added variations by placing small forests or ponds between the starting point (Gi) and the Waah. That way, going around 10 Waah would be like walking 10 Li [approximately 4 kilometers]. It’s really good because I can enjoy my favorite Gyeokgu and leisurely walk and organize my thoughts.”

Imagining the scene while listening to Sejong’s explanation, Hyang shouted inwardly.

‘This is golf! Seriously! You created golf to clear your head?!’

After shouting inwardly, Hyang quickly regained his senses and asked Sejong.

“You said you received great help; did you use it for politics?”

Sejong smiled brightly.

“As expected, you’re the Crown Prince! You noticed right away!”

“You flatter me.”

Hyang answered humbly, muttering inwardly.

‘As expected… golf and politics are inseparable?’

Sejong continued excitedly.

“To attract the natives of Shinji, shouldn’t we first build friendships with the chiefs?”

“That’s right.”

“Holding banquets to build such friendships was lacking in many ways, and the natives didn’t know the etiquette and manners of drinking, so it was better not to do it. Holding archery competitions was not possible because the level of skill was too different, and riding horses together was also impossible because they were new to horses. So, Gyeokgu was the only answer. In particular, wasn’t the biggest feature of the Gyeokgu I tweaked that two or three people move together? It was perfect for persuading and appeasing lukewarm chiefs.”

“That would certainly be the case.”

Hyang nodded, becoming more and more convinced of his own thoughts.

‘Indeed….’

Sejong, who was excited, continued.

“Do you know what’s interesting? The natives of Shinji also became interested in this Shin-Gyeokgu. So, they built spacious Gyeokgu fields near their tribal settlements. As far as I know, there are already over ten. And the Gyeokgu masters selected from the tribes are holding Gyeokgu matches, touring various Gyeokgu fields with masters from other tribes. Of course, this is what I suggested. Hahaha!”

Hyang’s face was completely stunned.

‘Are you even creating the PGA [Professional Golfers’ Association] now? It wouldn’t be strange if the theory of Sejong being the master of all things came out!’

“Bring my Gyeokgu club!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Sejong, in high spirits, boasted about his hobby to Hyang.

“This is the club used in Shin-Gyeokgu.”

Huyang, receiving the club from a long wooden box, sparkled his eyes.

“Is it made of iron?”

“That’s right. Since it’s at least 100 Jang from the starting point to the target, shouldn’t the ball be sent as far as possible? At first, I tried to trim bamboo or Shinji’s oak, but if I made it strong, it was heavy, and if I made it light, it would break easily. So, I ordered the artisans in Zone 52 to make a suitable iron material. As expected, they are excellent artisans, and a good club soon emerged. Ah! I also brought the records about that iron material, so take a look.”

“Yes. But is it Zone 52?”

“That’s right! It’s called Zone 52 because it’s not suitable in terms of scale or anything to call it Zone 51 branch office!”

“Yes….”

‘Historians of the distant future will have a hard time searching for zones 1 to 50.’

Sejong, so excited to explain Shin-Gyeokgu, looked around and ordered Hyang.

“Oh dear! I’ve wasted too much time! Let’s go back quickly and take care of the pending work!”

“Yes, yes….”