Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 620

620. The Beginning of the Empire – A Day Like Yesterday (8)

In the end, Jang Yeong-sil’s blueprint, along with the conceptual diagram of the Hyang, disappeared deep into Hyang’s vanity case.

“Hoo~.”

Jang Yeong-sil, leaving Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace], sighed deeply and murmured, looking back at Geunjeongjeon.

“Sometimes they tell me to reveal everything I’ve hidden, and other times they tell me to hide it again… Which tune am I supposed to dance to?”

Although he grumbled, Jang Yeong-sil knew what Hyang was implying.

“Even without trying, there are quite a few guys who only look at me for the easy way out.”

Whenever a new item was registered in the Challenge Log, or when Sahwang [Hyang’s title] or the Crown Prince presented a difficult task, there were always people loitering around him like chicks waiting for their mother bird.

“I need to filter out the ones I don’t need. Those who are worse than PC or Ra.”

Unlike Pietro and Raphael, who burned with passion whenever a difficult task came up, Jang Yeong-sil couldn’t hide his contempt for those who only sought the easy way.

Grumbling like that, Jang Yeong-sil looked down at the bag in his hand and chuckled.

“By the way, a Gyeokbangchae [a type of ball-hitting stick]… I only saw the conceptual diagram, but it looks better than the one made in District 52… If it turns out as His Majesty wants, Sahwang will be a little jealous. The problem is that I have to make it and present it within five days, so I’m going to have a hard time.”

Even as he said that, Jang Yeong-sil’s eyes sparkled.

* * *

Five days later, Jang Yeong-sil visited Hyang again.

“This is the item His Majesty ordered.”

With those words, Jang Yeong-sil handed over a long wooden box, and Hyang came down from the shrine to receive the box.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Click!

Hyang opened the box and began to examine the Gyeokbangchae inside.

Starting with the handle, he carefully examined the workmanship of the chae, checked if the balance was good, and lightly swung it around. Hyang smiled brightly and praised Jang Yeong-sil.

“Thank you so much! You made it exactly as I wanted! I can imagine how much effort the Deputy Director put in!”

“You flatter me!”

Hyang, who was very pleased with the Gyeokbangchae made by Jang Yeong-sil, bestowed the best reward.

“Register everything about the specifications and materials of this chae with the Intellectual Property Management Office.”

At Hyang’s words, Jang Yeong-sil made a surprised expression and hurriedly waved his hand.

“Your Majesty? This idea came from Your Majesty, how could I do such a disloyal thing?”

“I only had the idea, but it was the Deputy Director who actually made it, and made it the best, wasn’t it? Of course, you deserve to register it. And… if there is a precedent set by the Deputy Director, the artisans will work even harder, won’t they?”

Hearing Hyang’s words, Jang Yeong-sil prostrated himself on the floor and shouted loudly.

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

As a side note, as the Singyeokbang [new Gyeokbangchae] made by Sejong became a new pastime, Jang Yeong-sil earned a great fortune.

That evening, Hyang returned to Gangnyeongjeon [the king’s main sleeping quarters] with Jang Yeong-sil’s chae in his hand, looked towards Sugang Palace, and smiled.

“Shouldn’t we go for a rematch?”

* * *

The next morning, Hyang visited Sugang Palace.

After offering morning greetings to Sejong and his wife according to etiquette, Hyang subtly brought up the topic to Sejong.

“I told Deputy Director Jang to make a chae, would you like to see it?”

“Really? Let’s take a look!”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong got up from his seat with a delighted expression.

Moving to the archery range, Hyang took out the chae from the wooden box that the eunuch was carrying and showed it to Sejong.

“Hmm…”

Sejong, examining the chae in his hand, returned the chae to Hyang and gave his impressions.

“Isn’t it too light?”

“It’s just the right weight. Let me show you.”

Hyang, wearing gloves made of thin pigskin, went up to the archery platform. After lightly swinging the chae to warm up, Hyang told Jang Yeong-sil to place a pin made specifically for him on the floor and placed the ball on it, then swung the chae lightly.

Ttaak!

“Hota!” [a shout indicating a successful hit]

At the eunuch’s shout, the ball shot straight to the end of the archery range.

Starting with this, Hyang hit a total of 10 balls. And all of those balls flew straight to the end of the archery range.

“Let me try hitting one!”

“Please do.”

Sejong received the chae from Hyang, hit the ball, and exclaimed.

“Hehe! This is truly a masterpiece!”

“There is an old saying, ‘A master calligrapher does not discriminate against brushes.’ But, if a master calligrapher has a good brush, wouldn’t it shine even more?”

“That’s true.”

Saying that, Sejong returned the chae to Hyang. However, his face was full of regret.

As Hyang was preparing to leave after finishing the rematch that wasn’t really a rematch, Sejong asked Hyang.

“I would like to have a permit to enter District 51.”

“Are you going to meet Deputy Director Jang? You’re going back to Shinji together anyway, aren’t you?”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong explained the reason.

“I need to make it in advance and get used to it. It’s been almost a year since I’ve been back to Shinji, and I can already see how much the chiefs there have improved.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang replied immediately.

“I will write it and send it to you as soon as I return.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

As the Sky Opening Festival and various other events passed, it became May, and there was the wedding of the Crown Prince, Wan.

“Let’s finish everything before Sahwang leaves!”

According to Hyang’s decision, Du and Seul held their weddings five days apart.

After finishing the weddings, Sejong and Hyang gathered all the in-laws of the WanDuSeul brothers and held a banquet.

As the atmosphere of the banquet ripened, Sejong, sitting at the head table, opened his mouth.

“I say again, it is truly a congratulatory event to have become a family of the royal family like this.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless!”

At Sejong’s congratulatory speech, the in-laws all bowed their heads and replied.

However, Sejong and Hyang’s faces had turned stiff.

“However, it is embarrassing for me to say it myself, but there have been several unfortunate events related to the royal family’s in-laws.”

Those who knew about the tragic events that occurred during the reigns of Taejong and Sejong turned pale. Among them, those with weak hearts even began to tremble with the glass in their hands.

“Fortunately, there is a shortage of people to work in Shinji. Therefore, how about going to Shinji with me this time?”

It was a suggestion in words, but it was an order. In the end, everyone who attended the banquet had no choice but to accept Sejong’s proposal.

“We will do so!”

“Thank you very much.”

* * *

After the banquet, Hyang sat alone in Gangnyeongjeon and muttered with a serious face.

“When I think about the history I learned, there were many problems caused by in-laws, not only during the Sejong era but also before. Therefore, excluding in-laws to some extent is the right answer, but it’s a bit unsettling when I think about Jinpyeong. Of course, Abamama [father] is still healthy and flying around, and I’m here, and Wan is already eighteen years old, and Jinpyeong himself has become a hardcore otaku, so it may be a concern… but still, Jinpyeong is the problem.”

Hyang scratched his head as if frustrated and came to a conclusion.

“There’s only one answer. Rolling [forcing them to work hard] is the only answer!”

* * *

With the weddings of the WanDuSeul brothers over, Sejong, with a light heart, prepared for his return to Shinji. The officials from the native people who had come with him had already returned as soon as the thaw began, and those who were working in Shinji and those who were going to replace them had already departed.

As the preparations for Sejong’s return were gradually completed, Hyang prepared a banquet for Sejong.

“May you be healthy in Shinji!”

“We wish you good health!”

At the words of Hyang and the officials wishing for Sejong’s health, Sejong laughed heartily and raised his glass.

“Hahahaha! Thank you! Thank you! I will do my best!”

As the cheerful atmosphere continued, Anpyeong came forward.

“I, Anpyeong, Duke Yi Yong, have come to report something joyful to His Majesty the Emperor and Sahwang.”

“Hoo?”

“Have you finally seen the end of it?”

At Anpyeong’s words, Sejong showed curiosity, and Hyang made an expression of ‘Finally!’

* * *

As Joseon changed its system to the Federal Empire of Daehan, there were also changes in the titles of nobility.

The nobility system established by Sejong was very different from that of Ming, the most representative of which was the disappearance of the king.

“If they hear the sound of the king, they might try to act like a real king.”

Fearing a possible rebellion by the royal family, Sejong eliminated the king himself.

Sejong, who abolished the king, left only the five ranks of nobility.

The Grand Princes and Princes were ennobled as Dukes and Marquises, respectively, and the title was inherited only by the eldest son. In the case of other sons and concubines excluding the eldest son, a lower rank was given, and these ranks were also inherited only by the eldest son.

However, it was not possible for the eldest sons to continue to maintain the inherited title.

Even in the existing nobility system, it was stipulated that the title would be lowered by one rank as the generations went down, and that they would become commoners in the fifth generation.

Similarly, if the heir who inherited the title did not go out and make achievements, the next heir would receive a lower rank. And as the title fell, various benefits supported by the country, especially tax benefits, were also reduced.

In addition, it was decided to apply the same rank to the titles given to meritorious subjects, starting with giving the Marquis title to the first-class meritorious subjects. Of course, the demotion of the title if the descendants were incompetent was also the same.

Hyang, who saw this system, realized what Sejong wanted to say and made an absurd expression.

“So, whether it’s the imperial family, the royal family, or meritorious subjects, if you want to be treated well, you have to roll [work hard].”

Hyang, who understood Sejong’s inner thoughts, did not raise any particular objections.

“I don’t know about the East, West, or ancient times, but there is a saying that applies to our people, both in the past and now. ‘I can’t die alone.’ Even the emperor is suffering from high-intensity labor, so where are you going to suck honey from…” [referring to those who try to freeload or avoid work]

As a side note, when this discussion about the five ranks of nobility took place, there were no officials who opposed it.

* * *

“Emperor. Listening to Duke Anpyeong’s words, it seems that the Emperor also knows something, what is it?”

“I’ve made a few pieces of music.”

“Music?”

As Sejong’s eyes lit up, Anpyeong stepped forward and said.

“I dare to say that it is a new music that is different from both Dangak [Korean court music derived from Chinese music] and Hyangak [purely Korean traditional music]!”

“Really? Emperor. How about listening to it once?”

“I also have high expectations. Duke Anpyeong. Let me hear it.”

“Yes!”

Anpyeong, answering vigorously, soon gestured to the musicians.

Accordingly, the musicians moved busily and prepared the sheet music.

When the preparations were all over, Anpyeong reported to Sejong.

“The song I will play for you is called ‘Cavalry of the Front Line’.”

“Hoo~”

Seeing Sejong’s increasingly strong curiosity, Anpyeong sent a signal to the musicians.

At Anpyeong’s signal, one gayageum [a traditional Korean zither] began to pluck its strings. And then, a large drum began to sound heavily, and various instruments began to make their voices.

“Hoo~. What is this?”

“Indeed, the title ‘Cavalry of the Front Line’ seems to fit. The sound of the drums is like running a horse.”

“It strangely stimulates the resonance of the chest.”

The officials who heard Anpyeong’s ‘New Music’ nodded.

Sejong, nodding at the words of the officials, asked Hyang.

“Is it you again?”

“I only gave the clues.”

Hyang’s words were true.

The music being played now was the theme song of ‘For a Few Dollars More’.

Hyang only conveyed the melody by humming, and only advised on which instrument would be suitable where. It was all Anpyeong’s job to transcribe the melody that Hyang was humming into proper sheet music, refine Hyang’s suggestions, and properly tune them.