Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 702

702. Sixtieth Birthday (9)

Hyang immediately shut his mouth at Sejong’s firm answer.

Sejong and Wan seemed surprised by Hyang’s quick surrender.

‘Why is this guy like this?’

‘Why is His Majesty like this?’

Unable to overcome his curiosity, Sejong immediately asked the reason.

“Why are you giving up so quickly this time, Emperor? Is there something wrong with your health? Shouldn’t I call the royal physician right away?”

At Sejong’s worried question, Hyang answered with an awkward smile.

“I had already expected it to some extent.”

“So, you just poked around once? Good if it works out, and if not, oh well?”

“Hahahaha.”

“Hey, you!”

Wan, who was watching this scene from the side, muttered to himself.

‘This scene feels familiar!’

It was only natural. It was the situation where Wan was always defeated by Hyang.

After that brief farce ended, Hyang asked Sejong with a serious face.

“How did you see the Crown Prince’s handling of affairs? I think it’s excellent.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s words.

“Your judgment is correct, Emperor. What the Crown Prince lacks now is experience. The Prime Minister and the old retainers are there, so he won’t easily fall into crisis, but they have their pros and cons. As I said before, because they are experienced old retainers, they won’t easily fall into crisis, but conversely, if he makes even a small mistake, the Emperor could be swayed by the old retainers. There are only two ways to prevent this: either have overwhelming ability and experience, or carry out a purge. You remember Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s faction, don’t you, Emperor?”

Hyang immediately nodded at Sejong’s remark.

“I remember it clearly.”

* * *

When Sejong emerged from Taejong’s regency and began his direct rule, his strongest aides and rivals were Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon and the old retainers who followed him. The old retainers, who were fed up with Taejong’s autocratic rule, tried to curb Sejong’s momentum and establish a republican political system with the power of the officials.

However, they were extensively purged through the ‘Smallpox Incident,’ and the court was greatly reshuffled.

And the descendants of the Ryu Jeong-hyeon faction had still not been pardoned or reinstated.

Sejong had no intention of doing so at all, and Hyang also did not mention their pardon or reinstatement.

‘The Empire, no, the Emperor’s foundation is still weak! It needs at least 100 years! If I mess up, it’ll all be for nothing! A democratic revolution is not a revolution from above, but a revolution from below!’

* * *

Meanwhile, Wan’s face, who was listening to Hyang and Sejong’s conversation from the side, was full of resignation.

Various words were exchanged, but the conclusion was one.

-Dump everything on the Crown Prince!

The excuse was to quickly gain experience, but in reality, both Hyang and Sejong were just going to sit back and watch comfortably. Of course, clicking their tongues from time to time to turn people inside out was a given.

Wan was resigned, but he was also a descendant of Sejong’s blood. In addition, he had learned a lot while working with the research institute, Area 51, and the officials of the court—especially the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

‘I can’t die alone!’

Firmly resolved, Wan joined the conversation between Hyang and Sejong.

“It is truly presumptuous, but even if Your Majesty goes to Shinji, the old retainers will hardly dare to attempt to act arbitrarily since the Retired Emperor will return, wouldn’t they?”

Sejong looked at Wan with a puzzled expression and asked back.

“Why should I interfere in state affairs?”

“Yes, of course, as the Retired Emperor….”

Sejong firmly cut off Wan’s words.

“All I can do is advise, not interfere. If I step in recklessly, the imperial authority will be shaken. That is poison.”

Wan had no choice but to bow his head at Sejong’s firm answer.

“My thoughts were short-sighted.”

‘I can’t help it! Grandson, I’m counting on you! Grow up quickly!’

* * *

While Sejong, Hyang, and Wan were talking, a conversation was also taking place in Gyotaejeon Hall.

Empress Dowager Soheon, who had returned with Sejong, gathered Hyang’s empress, imperial consorts, crown princess, and concubines and was conducting a command inspection.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you all, but I’m so glad you all seem healthy.”

“Thank you.”

Empress Dowager Soheon, who started with words of blessing, turned to the Crown Princess and concubines and asked a question.

“You all look healthy too, which is really good.”

“Thank you.”

“How is your health?”

“There are no major problems.”

“To continue the imperial line and avoid turmoil, you must bear many healthy children. However, childbirth is a difficult task that greatly harms the body and mind. Therefore, you must always pay attention to your health and have the right mindset so that you do not become a source of worry. You must keep this in mind.”

“We will keep that in mind.”

Empress Dowager Soheon nodded slightly at the Crown Princess and concubines’ answers, but her questions did not end.

“Do you shoot a bow at all?”

“I can only pretend to do it.”

“Oh dear… Then what about the horse-mounted rifle?”

“That too….”

Empress Dowager Soheon immediately turned to look at the empress and imperial consorts at the Crown Princess and concubines’ answers. Empress Dowager Soheon, who realized the truth from their inability to make eye contact properly, immediately clicked her tongue strongly.

“Tsk!”

The empress and imperial consorts tensed up as soon as Empress Dowager Soheon clicked her tongue loudly.

‘Something’s up!’

Empress Dowager Soheon, with a hardened expression, glared at the empress and imperial consorts.

“What have you all been doing? Archery and gunnery are the best means for training the mind and body, so what have you been doing?”

“We, we are sorry!”

The empress and imperial consorts all bowed their heads and begged for forgiveness at Empress Dowager Soheon’s rebuke, and the Crown Princess and concubines became restless.

Empress Dowager Soheon became stern and advised the Crown Princess and concubines.

“The reason I told you all to diligently train in archery and gunnery is not just for your health. It is also in preparation for when something untoward happens in the palace. Of course, there is the Royal Guard, but you are the ones who will protect His Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince to the end. You must not forget this.”

“We will engrave it in our hearts!”

At Empress Dowager Soheon’s words, the Crown Princess and concubines hurriedly bowed their heads and answered, muttering inwardly.

‘She’s indeed a woman of great caliber!’

* * *

When old Hanyang was engulfed in flames, Sejong and Hyang were away from the capital to attend military training.

Naturally, confusion arose due to the absence of the highest decision-maker, and it was Empress Dowager Soheon who resolved it. Despite being heavily pregnant at the time, she urged the officials to determine the priorities for fire suppression and led the effort.

That wasn’t all. When the rebels led by Grand Prince Yangnyeong and Seo Seon invaded Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Royal Guards who received Sejong’s orders tried to evacuate her. However, she instead rebuked the Royal Guards who came to her and was a brave woman who grabbed a bow and ran to Geunjeongjeon Hall herself.

In the history before Hyang intervened, she died earlier than Sejong, but after Hyang intervened, she was still maintaining her health with Sejong.

* * *

The empress and her party, who had been rebuked and advised by Empress Dowager Soheon, paid their respects and came outside.

“We are sorry! We concubines were foolish!”

As soon as they came outside, the Crown Princess and concubines bent their waists 90 degrees towards the empress and imperial consorts and apologized.

“Tsk!”

The empress, with an angry face, clicked her tongue and ordered the Crown Princess and concubines.

“Come to the palace archery range right after breakfast tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t just come empty-handed, be sure to bring jump ropes, bows and arrows, and horse-mounted rifles. And you must carry them yourselves.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After giving the order, the empress turned to the court lady standing next to her and ordered.

“Send people to the ladies of the Duke and Marquis families and convey my orders. Tell them not to even think about seeing my face if they don’t attend the palace archery and gunnery practice on time from now on.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

In this way, the notoriety of the ‘Gyeongbokgung Mafia’ became even stronger.

* * *

With these various large and small incidents, Sejong and his party returned to Shinji.

And, as Sejong and Hyang said, Wan had to handle more work and gain experience.

However, Hyang was not just playing around either.

“I’m leaving for Shinji in two years anyway. There’s a lot to take care of before then so that Wan can be comfortable.”

Worrying about Wan’s reign, Hyang first addressed the personnel policy, specifically the issue of dealing with the ‘Gang of Four.’

“It would be easier for me if I took them to Shinji, but Jinpyeong is going too, so that’s a problem. They could cause trouble in Shinji if I’m not careful.”

Hyang, who was worried about preventing the meeting between the Gang of Four, no, Han Myeong-hoi and Jinpyeong, transferred the Gang of Four.

Han Myeong-hoi was moved to the General Affairs Department, Seong Sam-mun to the Ministry of Justice, Kwon Ram to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ha Wi-ji to the position of 3rd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education.

From the outside, it was a promotion. However, Han Myeong-hoi’s expression was not good.

“So, you’re telling me to work my ass off.”

The other three tilted their heads at Han Myeong-hoi’s words at a small dinner party held by the Gang of Four to commemorate the personnel changes.

“What are you talking about? Isn’t it a remarkable promotion from the Senior 3rd Rank to the Junior 2nd Rank in the old system?”

Han Myeong-hoi gave a bitter smile at Kwon Ram’s question.

“It’s true that it’s a remarkable promotion. But the position is the problem. We are all vice ministers, but the position is 3rd Vice Minister. From the outside, it’s the 4th in command of the department, but from the inside, it’s a position where it’s impossible to go any further if you make even a small mistake.”

“Ah!”

The other three simultaneously exclaimed at Han Myeong-hoi’s words. As Han Myeong-hoi said, the position of Vice Minister was a high-ranking official to anyone looking from the outside. However, from the inside, it was the 4th in command.

Looking at the Empire’s personnel policy so far, the 1st Vice Minister was the one who immediately took over when the Minister stepped down. The position of 1st Vice Minister was held by someone who was recognized for their experience and ability, and the 2nd Vice Minister was a card prepared just in case.

However, that was not the case for the 3rd Vice Minister. The position of 3rd Vice Minister was given to those who were recognized for their ability or experience, but still felt somewhat lacking.

In a way, the position of 3rd Vice Minister was almost no different from the Director General, which was the rank just below. The position of 3rd Vice Minister was the one who watched the Director General below them rise to the position of 2nd Vice Minister if they did not show clear results.

The other three, who understood Han Myeong-hoi’s words, emptied their glasses with bitter faces.

“As expected of His Majesty. He just can’t stand seeing us comfortable.”

Seong Sam-mun refilled his glass at Kwon Ram’s words and added.

“But it could be a good opportunity, couldn’t it? Since it’s such a precarious position, if we show proper results, we might receive even greater recognition, right?”

“Really?”

When Ha Wi-ji made a tempting expression at Seong Sam-mun’s words, Han Myeong-hoi added.

“Maejukheon—Seong Sam-mun’s pen name—is right. To tell you the truth, from the perspective of the departments we’ve been assigned to, we’re outsiders. That means they’ll never look kindly on us. But if we get our results recognized there, then it’s smooth sailing from then on. I don’t know about you, but I have no intention of stopping here. If you’re born a man, shouldn’t you at least go to the position of ‘second to none’?”

The other three nodded in unison at Han Myeong-hoi’s ambitious words.

“That’s right!”

“Now that we’ve entered public service, we have to go all the way!”

Meanwhile, Hyang, who received a report through a secret envoy, shook his head.

“As expected of Han Myeong-hoi. He’s Han Myeong-hoi.”