Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 65

짱그라

헬로밤

65. Variables (4)

Almost a month had passed when the envoys who had gone to Ming to offer condolences returned.

As soon as they returned, the envoys began reporting to Sejong. Sejong first offered words of comfort.

“You must be tired from traveling such a long distance, but I apologize for summoning you immediately. However, considering the importance of the matter, I hope you understand that I cannot delay.”

“Not at all. I have only done what I should as a subject.”

The Minister of Rites, who led the delegation as the chief envoy, bowed and replied.

“So, what was the new emperor like?”

“He seemed to have a rather gentle personality. His voice was calm and soft, and his demeanor was relaxed.”

“Is that so? What is the assessment of the other officials?”

“According to brief conversations with the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and other ministers, he was very stable when he acted as regent whenever the late Emperor was away on campaigns.”

“Is that so? Does it seem like the new emperor will also be aggressive in conquests?”

The Minister of Rites shook his head at Sejong’s question.

“No, he has publicly stated that he will not engage in conquests unless there is a major incident, as the frequent campaigns of the late Emperor have caused problems with the budget.”

“Is that so? Then the Jurchen side should be quiet for a while.”

Sejong’s expression brightened at the Minister of Rites’ answer. Whenever the Yongle Emperor moved to conquer the Northern Yuan [a Mongol dynasty that resisted Ming rule], the Jurchens also became restless. As a chain reaction, Joseon also became noisy.

With a brighter face, Sejong moved on to the next topic.

“Where are the royal physician and the physiognomist who accompanied you?”

At Sejong’s call, the royal physician and the physiognomist came forward and bowed deeply.

“This is Yi Han-soo, the royal physician from the Royal Clinic, reporting to Your Majesty.”

“This lowly physiognomist Choi Ga greets Your Majesty!”

“Good. What kind of person did you find the emperor to be?”

At Sejong’s question, the royal physician and the physiognomist told him about their analysis of the Hongxi Emperor.

Sejong’s face became serious as he listened to their stories.

“So, you’re saying that the new emperor has serious health problems?”

“That is correct.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm….”

After listening to their answers, Sejong stroked his beard and pondered. After thinking alone for a while, Sejong gestured to the two.

“It was a good report. You may return.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Thank you very much!”

After the physiognomist and the royal physician left, Sejong asked the Minister of Rites a question.

“Did the new emperor’s health seem problematic to you as well?”

“He did not seem to be in very good health to me either.”

The Minister of Rites recalled the appearance of the Hongxi Emperor he had seen. The emperor, who was quite obese, had to breathe heavily even while speaking.

“Oh dear….”

Sejong, who was listening to the Minister of Rites’ answer, smiled bitterly and muttered to himself.

“So, that’s why Hyang was making such a fuss about telling me to lose weight….”

‘How to make Sejong lose weight?’ was one of Hyang’s biggest concerns. Because of this, Hyang controlled Sejong’s diet, adjusted his food intake, and made him exercise.

“You rascal! Catch your father! Catch him!”

Sejong grumbled whenever Hyang urged him, but frankly, Sejong didn’t feel bad. It was a good thing that his son was concerned about his father’s health.

Sejong, thinking about Hyang’s work, smiled bitterly once again.

“It’s all good, but the word ‘corpulent’ is a bit….”

Sejong was 27 years old. It was an age when he could spend time with the Queen or concubines in each room and still assert his presence the next morning.

* * *

“Anyway… Minister Ye. So, does that mean it will be difficult for this emperor to reign for long?”

“No one can guarantee the issue of lifespan.”

Sejong nodded at Minister Ye’s answer.

“That’s true. Human lifespan is something only heaven knows….”

“Your Majesty is too kind.”

“It’s not something for you to be humble about. It’s just that I was a little impatient… By the way, now that the emperor has changed, what do you think will happen to the trading post completed in Shandong?”

At Sejong’s question, Minister Ye replied in a bright voice.

“Ah! That part was the biggest topic this time. It has been three months since the trading post was built, and merchants from Joseon and Ming have gathered to trade actively, and the taxes paid to the Ming court are steadily increasing.”

“I am also aware of that. The amount coming into our court is also increasing significantly, so what are they going to do?”

For Sejong, the issue of maintaining the trading post was one of the most important concerns.

At Sejong’s urging, Minister Ye replied.

“The decision to maintain it has been made. The new emperor has issued a decree stating that the trading post in Shandong is beneficial to both Joseon and Ming, and is like a symbol of diplomacy, so maintaining it is natural. All the officials of the Ming court also agreed.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

“And, it has also been decided to concentrate the Ming navy to prepare for any possible actions by the Wokou [Japanese pirates] or pirates. An imperial order has been issued to create a new naval base next to the trading post.”

“Is that so?”

Sejong’s expression hardened at Minister Ye’s answer. However, the ministers, who did not see Sejong’s expression, opened their mouths with delight.

“That is truly fortunate!”

“That’s right!”

“It is the help of heaven!”

When the ministers were chattering with almost the same content, only with slightly different wording, Hwang Hee put the finishing touch.

“If the Ming navy provides defense, safety will be guaranteed! This is the grace of the suzerain state!”

“Tsk!”

The ministers, who had been delighted, froze as Sejong clicked his tongue. Sejong glared at the ministers with a very angry face.

“I… I am starting to wonder if being with you is really a good thing for this Joseon.”

At Sejong’s words, the ministers all prostrated themselves and had to shout.

“We are deeply sorry!”

“If you are sorry, you should not do things that will make you sorry. Isn’t that so, Right State Councilor?”

Hwang Hee, who was singled out, answered with great tension.

“Y-Your Majesty, I am deeply sorry!”

“I told you not to do things that will make you sorry in the first place. Do you even know what you did wrong?”

“I am deeply sorry!”

“Tsk! Seriously… Who spread such rumors… Ugh! Let’s take a break for a while!” Sejong, who was furious, declared a recess and left the Pyeonjeon Hall [main hall of the palace where the king conducted state affairs].

As Sejong stormed out of his seat, the ministers frowned deeply and began to talk.

“Where on earth did things go wrong?”

“I am also curious about that.”

The ministers, who were sharing their opinions, began to look at Hwang Hee one by one. This was because Sejong had become angry as soon as Hwang Hee spoke. As the ministers’ gazes focused on him, Hwang Hee shouted.

“How would I know!”

Hwang Hee, who had stormed out of his seat, looked up at the sky, sighed deeply, and muttered.

“Hoo~. It’s too dirty to handle. I really need to quit….”

These days, Hwang Hee felt the urge to submit his resignation several times a day.

‘Damn it! My son is the same age as you! It’s too dirty to handle! I’ll just quit! Who spread the rumors? It’s your father, you rascal!’

He wanted to say this to Sejong’s face and submit his resignation, but he had to grit his teeth and endure it every time.

‘Minister! You must endure it! You must think of your children! Especially your daughter who married into the Seo family is still living with only looking at other’s faces because she still doesn’t have a child! You must endure and persevere for her sake!’

“Haa~.”

Recalling his wife’s earnest words, Hwang Hee looked up at the sky and sighed. Tears welled up in Hwang Hee’s eyes.

* * *

While the ministers were racking their brains, unable to find an answer, the Minister of Taxation left the Pyeonjeon Hall and headed to the Donggung Palace [Crown Prince’s residence]. The place the Minister of Taxation headed to was the annex built next to the Donggung Palace.

“Has the Minister of Taxation arrived?”

“Good work.”

The Minister of Taxation lightly replied to the guard guarding the annex and went inside.

“Is Minister Jeong here?”

“The Vice Minister is inside. This way.”

Guided by the eunuch, the Minister of Taxation headed to the room where Jeong Cho was working. Jeong Cho, who was discussing with his subordinate officials, greeted the Minister of Taxation.

“Isn’t this the Minister of Taxation? What brings you here?”

“Ah, I came to ask for some advice.”

“Advice?”

“May I have a word with you?”

At the Minister of Taxation’s request, Jeong Cho led him to his office.

“This way.”

The Minister of Taxation, who entered the office following Jeong Cho, began to complain as soon as he sat down.

“…With the situation like this, I can’t live, I can’t live! I need to know what mistake we made… Hoo…. These days, I feel like submitting my resignation and returning to my hometown a dozen times a day.”

“Oh dear….”

Jeong Cho smiled bitterly at the Minister of Taxation’s complaints and comforted him.

‘It’s the same here as it is in the Pyeonjeon Hall….’

In any case, the fact that the King was extremely angry was an important issue.

After pondering for a moment, Jeong Cho got up from his seat.

“Let’s go together.”

“Where are we going?”

“There is someone who knows the answer.”

The place Jeong Cho headed to was the Donggung Palace.

* * *

Hyang, who had just returned from Area 51 [likely a humorous reference, not a literal location, implying Hyang deals with sensitive or advanced matters] and was organizing documents, had to stop what he was doing and listen to the Minister of Taxation’s complaints.

Hyang sighed deeply after listening to the Minister of Taxation’s tearful complaints.

“Haa~. Oh dear….”

Since Hyang’s reaction was similar to Sejong’s, the Minister of Taxation became very nervous.

“I am deeply sorry.”

“You shouldn’t have done things that would make you sorry. Is the Minister of Taxation the one in charge of the country’s finances?”

“I am in charge of that work, although I am lacking.”

“Even so, you don’t understand the problem? Huh~. Oh my. Tsk!”

Seeing Hyang’s reaction, which was the same as Sejong’s, something hot welled up from deep within the Minister of Taxation, but he had to force himself to endure it.

“I am deeply sorry. Please enlighten me on what I do not know.”

“It’s simple. The problem is the Ming naval base being built next to the trading post.”

“Yes?”

“Is Ming overflowing with finances?”

“Ah!”

The Minister of Taxation exclaimed at Hyang’s words. Seeing the Minister of Taxation’s appearance, Hyang explained in more detail.

“The actions of the Wokou have decreased, but they have not been completely suppressed yet. That means the navy entering next to the trading post is a newly formed one. How much will it cost to create it? And what about the maintenance costs? Where do you think that cost will be covered from?”

“…The taxes from the trading post, I suppose.”

“That’s right. It is certain that the Ming court will say that they want to increase the rate of taxes from the trading post. Is that something to be happy about?”

“No, it is not.”

“And who knows if the cost that Ming puts forward is only the cost of maintaining the navy, or if it also includes parts to fill holes in other places?”

At Hyang’s pointing out, the Minister of Taxation’s head lowered. Hyang’s words resonated in the Minister of Taxation’s ear.

“You need to send someone to the trading post right away to get information. You need to find out the size of the newly established Ming naval base, how much a Ming navy of a similar size uses in a year, and prepare in advance. Do you understand?”

“Yes? Yes!”

“Then move quickly! His Majesty said last time, didn’t he? That he would give you what the ministers want. If you don’t want to collectively drink poison and die, move quickly!”

“Yes, yes!”

At Hyang’s scolding, the Minister of Taxation hurriedly got up from his seat, quickly paid his respects, and ran to the Pyeonjeon Hall.

Hyang, who was watching the Minister of Taxation’s disappearing back along with the dust, turned to Jeong Cho, who was standing next to him.

“The Minister of Taxation will say exactly what he said, right?”

“I think so.”

“Then how do you think His Majesty will evaluate it?”

“If it were a civil service exam, it would be a C grade.”

Jeong Cho answered immediately at Hyang’s question. Jeong Cho was already familiar with Hyang’s evaluation method.

Hyang always demanded that he come up with an answer that was even 1 pun [a very small unit of measurement, implying a tiny improvement] better than what he said. Such Hyang was Sejong’s son.

* * *

“I know the answer! I know the answer!”

The ministers, who had been putting their heads together and sharing opinions for a long time but could not find an answer, rushed to Hwang Hee, led by Hwang Hee, at the Minister of Taxation’s words, ‘I found the answer!’

“Yes, what is it?”

At Hwang Hee’s question, the Minister of Taxation told him the answer Hyang had said. The ministers simultaneously put their hands on their foreheads after listening to the Minister of Taxation’s explanation.

“Oh dear!”

“I missed that!”

The ministers, who realized their mistake, wore dumbfounded expressions. According to the Minister of Taxation’s explanation, they had not recognized the biggest problem and were just foolishly happy.

“What should we do….”

“His Majesty’s evaluation….”

“At this rate, we’ll get scolded….”

Hwang Hee, who was watching the dumbfounded ministers, stepped forward.

“It’s already happened. First, let’s tell His Majesty that we know the answer. And let’s try to make sure this doesn’t happen again next time.”

“I understand.”

Shortly after,

“Your Majesty~ Enter!”

At the eunuch’s cry, the ministers returned to their seats and straightened their clothes.

Sejong, who entered the Pyeonjeon Hall and sat on the throne above the dais, looked down at the ministers.

“So, do you know what mistakes you made?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Hoo~. Right State Councilor, tell me.”

At Sejong’s command, who showed curiosity, Hwang Hee cleared his throat and told him what the problem was. Sejong, who listened quietly to the explanation, stroked his beard.

“Is that all?”

“Yes? So far….”

Sejong sighed at Hwang Hee’s answer.

“Hoo?. It can’t be helped. I hope you will try harder in the future.”

“I obey your command!”

“Then let’s move on to the next agenda.”

“Yes. The next agenda is….”

“Tsk!”