Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 696

696. The Sixtieth Birthday (3)

Two days later, Hyang summoned Wan.

“Did you call for me?”

“Yes. I have an order for you.”

“Give me your command.”

“Starting in March, you will handle state affairs as Regent, so prepare yourself.”

At Hyang’s command, Wan immediately prostrated himself on the floor, raising his voice.

“Your Majesty is still in good health, so how can this subject act as Regent? Please, withdraw your command!”

“I am entrusting you with the regency because any further delay would be unacceptable. It is time for you to gradually learn how the Empire functions.”

“This subject’s learning and experience are still shallow!”

“You have already learned enough, and as for experience… unless you are reborn, how can you be good at it from the start? Experience is built through mistakes. Therefore, now is the best opportunity to gain experience. Even if you make mistakes, I can correct them.”

“However…”

As Wan tried to argue again, Hyang cut him off.

“The Emperor’s seat is not an easy one. Every decision of the Emperor affects all the people of the Empire. Inheriting that position without any experience would be the greatest sin, what do you think?”

At Hyang’s words, Wan had no choice but to wave the white flag.

“I shall obey Your Majesty’s command.”

“That’s a good decision.”

“Then, who would be best to entrust with the operation of the Research Institute and Area 51?”

“Grand Scholar Hakyeokjae (학역재, Jeong In-ji’s pen name) can take charge of the Research Institute, and you should concurrently manage Area 51.”

“…I understand.”

Thus, Wan’s regency was immediately decided.

No officials opposed this decision.

Firstly, most of the officials had already anticipated the situation.

Secondly, Hyang’s logic was flawless.

The Emperor’s position was one of great responsibility. The reason why the emperors of China ate such delicacies and consumed all sorts of elixirs was not just for their virility. The position was under so much psychological pressure that their bodies easily deteriorated.

Those emperors who were unaware of this and indulged in pleasure and debauchery were recorded as those who brought about the downfall of their nations.

Similarly, there was nothing more troublesome than someone who knew nothing about state affairs succeeding to the throne. As Hyang said, one decision of the Emperor affected the entire population of the Empire.

That night, Wan secretly visited Hyang’s chambers.

“What is it?”

“Is it alright to leave Grand Scholar Jeong In-ji in that position?”

At Wan’s question, Hyang’s face hardened. Even if others didn’t know, Hyang knew the history of the Gyeyu Jeongnan (계유정난, Prince Suyang’s coup).

‘Could it be! Someone other than Jin Ping?’

“Why? Does Jeong In-ji seem to harbor rebellious intentions?”

“Ah! N, no, that’s not it!”

Wan hurriedly denied Hyang’s question and explained his concerns.

“Grand Scholar Jeong In-ji is a very capable person. I am worried that keeping such a person only in the Research Institute might create problems.”

“There is some truth in that…”

Nodding at Wan’s words, Hyang began to consider Jeong In-ji.

‘He actively supported Suyang, who instigated the Gyeyu Jeongnan [a political purge], and rose to the position of Chief State Councilor, so he is a man with a strong desire for power. On the other hand, he is also a cautious person who supported Seongjong’s accession to the throne during the royal succession battle in Seongjong’s reign. If so…’

After analyzing Jeong In-ji’s tendencies, Hyang smiled and looked at Wan.

“On the contrary, that position might be even better for him.”

“Yes?”

Hyang explained the reason to Wan.

“Jeong In-ji probably has political ambitions as much as his outstanding abilities.

In a situation where he has political ambitions, the position of Deputy Director of the Research Institute could be the best place. Although it may seem like a minor post, it is, in a way, the closest position to the powerful, allowing him to continue to maintain a good relationship.

Because all crown princes go through that position. Nevertheless, it is the position with the least political burden.”

At Hyang’s explanation, Wan nodded and exclaimed.

“Indeed! Grand Scholar Jeong In-ji is one of those who has been in charge of the Research Institute since its founding. Even I am cautious of Grand Scholar Jeong In-ji. It is a position where he is respected by the Crown Prince but does not have to be politically checked, so Your Majesty’s words are correct.”

At Wan’s words, Hyang smiled and added.

“We are currently reviewing the conferment of titles for Grand Scholar Jeoljae, so let’s include Grand Scholar Hakyeokjae in the list as well. He has been practically responsible for the operation of the Research Institute for that long.”

At Hyang’s words, Wan bowed his head and responded.

“I cannot help but admire Your Majesty’s insight.”

“Stop gilding the lily. Now that you’re done, go back and rest.”

At Hyang’s words, Wan hesitated for a moment and then brought up another matter.

“Your Majesty, would it be possible to postpone my regency by just one year?”

“Why?”

“The research on the flying machines and the Bigu [a mythical creature] is still insufficient…”

“You will be in charge of that part concurrently, so there shouldn’t be any major problems, right?”

“However, I believe that when the Retired Emperor returns in two years, Your Majesty will abdicate to me and go to Shinji. In that case, the Retired Emperor will be watching over me anyway, right? I don’t think there is a need to be Regent for two years. And, to be honest, Your Majesty’s regency period wasn’t that long either, was it?”

Hyang immediately retorted at Wan’s words.

“It was longer than yours. And, you brat! I was unofficially acting as Regent since the ‘Munteomu Rebellion’! Where are you whining!”

“But…”

“You brat, get out!”

After chasing Hyang out, Hyang briefly counted on his fingers.

“Let’s see… the current age of the Imperial Grandson is six years old, right? Even if I confirm him as the Imperial Grandson when I go to Shinji, he will be eight years old. Let’s see…”

After calculating for a while longer, Hyang smiled and looked towards the Donggung Palace [Crown Prince’s residence].

“Perhaps that brat’s reign will be one of the longest in the Empire’s history.”

As an aside, among the words Hyang said, the phrase ‘unless you are reborn, how can you be good at it from the start?’ began to circulate among the lower-ranking officials, and a strange conspiracy theory began to spread.

“Hey, isn’t it a bit strange?”

“What is?”

“Your Majesty said, ‘unless you are reborn, how can you be good at it from the start?’, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But, if you think about it, His Majesty was extraordinary from a young age, wasn’t he?”

“Because he is a genius.”

“No, let’s put aside academics. But think about the policy presentation he gave at that young age. That is impossible, no matter how much of a prodigy he is. And what about the Research Institute and Area 51?”

“Stop talking nonsense that even stray dogs wouldn’t believe and get to work.”

“No. It’s strange, I tell you? Perhaps?”

“I told you to stop talking nonsense!”

Before long, this rumor reached Hyang’s ears, and Hyang chuckled and said to the officials.

“It seems that the officials are very idle these days?”

At Hyang’s words, the officials turned pale and bowed their heads.

“Please do not worry about unfounded rumors!”

“It is just the nonsense of those who like to talk. Most officials are still working hard at their assigned tasks.”

“Is that so?”

He finished speaking with an indifferent expression, but inwardly, Hyang was slightly taken aback.

‘Geez! There are surprisingly perceptive people!’

* * *

As time passed and spring arrived, the Empire stretched itself again.

As the sea became calm, many trading ships hurriedly raised their anchors and set sail for voyages to Ming and Japan, and as far as Suez.

“Hurry! We need to go and come back at least one more time before the summer typhoons arrive!”

“Yes!”

In the mainland and Bukji of the Empire, they began to plow and overturn the rice paddies and fields again in preparation for planting, and customers began to flock to the monopoly offices and market shops.

The same was true of Gyeongbok Palace.

As Wan’s regency officially began, officials had to prepare data in more detail and write plans more thoroughly.

“Hmm… I don’t understand this part very well, why do we have to do it this way?”

Wan dug into every detail, making it obvious that he was a beginner who didn’t know much. At that sight, the officials looked at Hyang with desperate expressions. However, Hyang smiled and said to them.

“I’m fine because I have experience, but the Crown Prince doesn’t, does he? Please explain it well. The Crown Prince will do better as he gains experience.”

“Yes…”

Due to Wan, who clung to them with the mentality of ‘I can’t die alone!’, the officials had to push their subordinates.

“Take care of the data properly!”

“Check the documents carefully!”

“If you’re going to say nonsense like ‘according to precedent,’ quit right now and get out!”

* * *

Meanwhile, ships carrying materials for the railway construction to be carried out in Suez were steadily loading cargo and technicians and began to raise their anchors.

And the navies, who were tasked with escorting them and building a naval base in Suez, began to form a fleet and move.

This was a larger scale than expected. And, the Ming navy, which discovered this, was immediately put on alert, and an urgent report was sent to Nanjing.

“It’s good to be in Nanjing. I can get news faster than in Beijing.”

The Gyeongtae Emperor, who received the urgent report sent by the Ming navy, spoke to his officials with a mixture of jokes and sincerity.

At the Gyeongtae Emperor’s words, the officials all prostrated themselves in their seats and shouted in a sorrowful voice.

“Your Majesty! Please forgive our incompetence!”

“We are incompetent and have brought such humiliation to Your Majesty! Please forgive our incompetence!”

“It’s alright. Get up.”

“We are deeply grateful for your grace. Long live, long live, long long live!”

As soon as the officials’ cheers ended, the Gyeongtae Emperor gave an order with a serious face.

“I will ban the cheers until we avenge ourselves on that Joseon, who calls themselves an Empire.”

“H, however.”

“Let’s not just talk about grinding our teeth and sleeping on firewood [a Chinese idiom for enduring hardship for revenge], but show it in action. I will ban the cheers until we avenge ourselves. If anyone violates this, they will not be able to avoid extreme punishment.”

At the Gyeongtae Emperor’s firm decision, the officials all had no choice but to bow their heads.

“We obey your command!”

The Gyeongtae Emperor, who had strengthened his will to avenge himself, asked about this matter.

“What do you think?”

“According to rumors, they have taken on the task of laying railroads in Suez, in the West. It seems to be a fleet escorting the ships carrying those materials.”

“The scale of the fleet is quite large for that, isn’t it?”

“According to rumors, a Joseon naval base is being built in Suez. It seems to include the battleships that will be stationed there.”

“Hmm…”

The Gyeongtae Emperor, stroking his beard at the officials’ reports, told his officials his thoughts.

“If the scale of the Joseon navy that set sail this time is so grand, there must be a gap in the Joseon navy. What do you think about attacking them once?”

As the Gyeongtae Emperor mentioned ‘provocation,’ the officials’ faces turned white. At that time, the Left Vice-Commander bowed to the Gyeongtae Emperor and replied.

“I am afraid to speak, Your Majesty. The Black Dragon is guarding the place. As long as the Black Dragon is there, provocation is impossible.”

At the Left Vice-Commander’s answer, the Gyeongtae Emperor gnashed his teeth.

“Damn Black Dragon!”