Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 719

719. Abdication (1)

Autumn, Imperial Calendar Year 10 (1458).

Kim Jeom passed away at the age of 90.

He lived one year longer compared to the history before Hyang’s intervention.

* * *

Even with his advanced age, he requested resignation in February of Imperial Calendar Year 10, and Hyang had no choice but to accept it.

“I am truly sorry for presenting such disloyalty as resignation. However, my body cannot keep up with my mind. Please forgive me for not being able to be with Your Majesty.”

As his resignation was accepted, Kim Jeom bowed deeply to Hyang and Wan with the utmost respect.

“I am also saddened. But who can stop the decline of the body? I am truly grateful for everything you have done.”

Hyang quickly descended from the throne and returned the bow to the prostrated Kim Jeom, expressing his gratitude.

Kim Jeom, receiving the bow and gratitude from Hyang, couldn’t hide the tears flowing down his face.

“Your Majesty thinks so highly of this old man; I have no regrets, even if I die now!”

“Thank you for everything you have done.”

“You have worked so hard all this time!”

“You have truly worked hard!”

Following Hyang, all the great and small officials and eunuchs in Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace] bowed deeply to Kim Jeom, conveying their words of gratitude.

“To be congratulated so much by this old man who only nagged every day, I am so grateful!”

Kim Jeom looked at the ministers who had shared joys and sorrows with him and expressed his gratitude.

As Kim Jeom, having been granted resignation, left Geunjeongjeon, Hyang supported him and headed towards Geunjeongmun [the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace]. As the Emperor moved himself, all the ministers followed and saw Kim Jeom off. The ministers who came to see him off were filled with envy towards Kim Jeom, who was being supported by the Emperor.

And the historian who recorded all of this added the following:

-…Thus, His Majesty, the Emperor, allowed the resignation of Daegam [a high-ranking official] of Uichon (義村), personally supporting him and seeing him off to Geunjeongmun, which caused many officials to express envy.

Uichon Kim Jeom served four generations of monarchs, so there are few who can match his experience.

He was the first envoy to visit Beijing after the Ming Dynasty moved its capital to Beijing, and he was also the one who was in charge of receiving Ming envoys thereafter.

If His Majesty favored Hwang Hee, it would be fair to say that the current Emperor favors Kim Jeom. The relationship between His Majesty and Kim Jeom is long and deep, dating back to long before His Majesty ascended the throne. He was the one who argued and harmonized with His Majesty over the management of finances to promote national wealth and military strength, so it is only natural that His Majesty cherishes him.

The historian says:

I’m envious. Will I be able to leave with such treatment later?

“Hoo~. Now, all that’s left is to leave. This is truly bittersweet.”

Kim Jeom, having finished organizing his work and leaving the Prime Minister’s office, looked at Yukjo Street [the street where the six ministries were located] and Gyeongbokgung Palace with a face full of mixed emotions.

* * *

Having resigned, Kim Jeom organized what he had recorded while working and prepared for his end by distributing his wealth.

Meanwhile, the court was also busy trying to fill the vacancy left by Kim Jeom.

Hyang appointed Park Jong-woo as the Prime Minister and Kim Jong-seo as the Deputy Prime Minister.

There were no objections to this appointment.

Hwang Hee, as well as Kim Jeom, were very knowledgeable about economics. Therefore, Park Jong-woo, who had risen to the position of Deputy Prime Minister after serving as the Minister of Finance, was considered qualified.

The same was true for Kim Jong-seo. Since the Deputy Prime Minister’s area of responsibility included the Ministry of Finance and the General Affairs Department, it was appropriate for Kim Jong-seo, who knew this well, to take that position. And Kim Jong-seo was considered the best person to mediate disputes between government departments.

However, officials and gossips invariably added a sentence after that.

“But that Seoul love is the problem.”

And Hyang added a sentence to that.

“If it weren’t for that Seoul love, I would have dragged him to Shinji, what a pity.”

Meanwhile, after this personnel change, there were those who secretly sought out physiognomists [fortune tellers who read faces].

The questions they asked the physiognomists were almost identical.

“Tell me, do I have the face of someone who will live long?”

Those who asked this question were those who were on the verge of becoming high-ranking officials in the court.

The reason they asked this was that Hwang Hee, as well as Kim Jeom, had worked in office until they were almost ninety years old, and those who were now in the position of ministers were also quite old.

“It sounds like self-praise, but I’m quite capable, you know? Then I should aim for the position of being second-in-command, right? But, look. When you look at those in the Dangsanggwan [high-ranking officials] position, they are all well over sixty. I have to live a long life and endure to be called Daegam!”

* * *

Upon hearing the news of Kim Jeom’s death, Hyang suspended official duties for a day according to etiquette and visited Kim Jeom’s house with Wan.

The chief mourner, the eldest son Kim Yu-son, was moved by the visit of Hyang and Wan and bowed deeply.

Having visited Kim Jeom’s house and offered condolences with Wan, Hyang comforted Kim Yu-son and returned to the palace.

Meanwhile, during the funeral, Kim Jeom’s house was filled with mourners.

According to the newly established Imperial Law, the funerals of all except the Emperor were unified to be three days long, and Kim Jeom’s house was filled with mourners during those three days.

Among the people in the neighborhood who were watching the scene, these words were circulating.

“There’s an old saying that ‘when a dog of a Prime Minister dies, mourners flock, but when the Prime Minister dies, not even a dog comes,’ but I guess that’s not the case?”

In any case, Kim Jeom’s death had several symbolic meanings.

Among them, the first was that those who had been officials since the Goryeo Dynasty no longer existed.

Finally, Goryeo only existed in records, and the connection with the Empire was completely severed.

The second was that the first generation of bureaucratic groups, excluding the founding contributors, disappeared, and the second generation of bureaucratic groups took the lead.

In other words, when Hyang abdicates to Wan, the speed at which the shadow of Joseon fades will gradually accelerate.

* * *

Imperial Calendar Year 11 (1459)

In the spring, Sejong returned from Shinji.

While Sejong’s party waited at the quarantine station, Hyang and Wan, who had been contacted, arrived in Wonsan and proceeded to prepare to welcome Sejong.

“It’s been a while. I’m glad to see you looking so healthy.”

“I am relieved to see you in good health.”

After exchanging greetings, Hyang and Sejong walked towards the station with Wan behind them, talking.

“I heard that Daegam of Uichon passed away. It’s truly a regrettable thing.”

“Yes. He was a great source of support.”

In response to Hyang’s words, Sejong looked at the distant sky with a face full of regret.

“Jang Yeong-sil also passed away just before leaving Shinji.”

“Oh dear! A truly precious talent has passed away.”

“I feel like my era is also coming to an end.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang quickly responded.

“No. You are still in your prime.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong smiled slightly and replied.

“Thank you for seeing it that way.”

* * *

Sejong, who returned to Seoul, immediately took his place in Suganggung (壽康宮, present-day Changgyeonggung Palace).

As Sejong took his place, Hyang began to prepare for his abdication in earnest.

The first thing Hyang did was to call Wan and reveal his intention to abdicate.

“…You already expected it, and the ministers also expected it. So, don’t do useless things like begging for forgiveness.”

“However, Your Majesty is still healthy….”

“Tsk….”

As Hyang’s expression turned fierce, Wan immediately lowered his head and had to change his words.

“Yes! I will follow Your Majesty’s orders!”

“There are mountains of things to do in Shinji, so let’s not waste each other’s time. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Having conveyed his intention to abdicate to Wan, Hyang officially announced his abdication the next day in a meeting of ministers.

“The Crown Prince Wan is already grown up and skilled in managing state affairs, so I will abdicate.”

Park Jong-woo, the Prime Minister, immediately expressed his opposition to Hyang’s declaration.

“However, Your Majesty is still healthy, so I believe abdication is premature.”

“Tsk!”

Hyang clicked his tongue right away, but Park Jong-woo did not back down.

“I say again. Your Majesty is still healthy, so abdication is not appropriate. Of course, the Crown Prince is grown up and skillfully manages state affairs, but it is still too early.”

“Then who will manage Shinji?”

At Hyang’s point, Park Jong-woo closed his mouth.

There was no minister who did not know that Shinji’s size was enough to build an empire, let alone a country.

Therefore, it was the safest way for the retired Emperor to go and rule Shinji.

Still, the reason for opposing the abdication was because of what happened during the reign of Taejong [King Taejong of Joseon].

When Grand Prince Yangnyeong was the Crown Prince, Taejong declared abdication whenever he had the chance. However, this was not because he truly wanted to abdicate. It was a stepping stone to suppress the Crown Prince and carry out political purges.

Therefore, they were opposing the abdication even now.

Hyang, who was watching the ministers who could not do this or that, persuaded them.

“I say again, the Crown Prince is already grown up and is skilled in taking care of state affairs. No, even if there is a slight deficiency, the retired Emperor is back, so there is nothing the Crown Prince will have trouble with. Therefore, I will abdicate.”

“However….”

“Stop.”

Hyang, interrupting Park Jong-woo’s words, threatened the ministers.

“Those who oppose the abdication should all submit their resignations. I will process them immediately. And let’s all go to Shinji with me and work. You are already more than qualified, so there is no need to further select people, and the Crown Prince can employ fresh talents and carry out state affairs, so isn’t it a really good thing?”

“….”

“What do you all think? Hmm… Bring the stationery.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

While the eunuch was preparing the stationery, the ministers frowned and grumbled inwardly.

‘To suffer in Shinji at this age! I can’t do it even if I die!’

‘Leave Seoul? I can’t leave even if I die!’

‘Isn’t this what everyone expected anyway? We just have to accept it.’

In the end, the ministers accepted Hyang’s will.

“I will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

“Thank you.”

Leaving Geunjeongjeon after the meeting, the ministers looked at the sky and sighed.

“Hoo~. The retired Emperor!”

Middle managers who heard the story also made similar expressions and grumbled.

“The retired Emperor!”

Young managers tilted their heads at the sight of such superiors.

“Anyway, the retired Emperor will not be directly involved in state affairs, will he?”

“You know how His Majesty handles things and what his personality is like, right? Was it easy?”

“Not at all.”

“The one who raised that Emperor like that is the retired Emperor. As you said, he won’t be directly involved, but if he sees even a slightly sloppy appearance, the nightmare will begin right away.”

“Heo….”

* * *

Meanwhile, Sejong was putting his head together with Hyang, looking at the list of those who would go to Shinji.

“Hmm… These are the ones who will go to Shinji with the Emperor?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s see….”

Sejong looked at the list and coordinated opinions with Hyang.

“I think it would be better to send this person to Suez than to Shinji, what do you think?”

“Considering the situation in Shinji, I think it would be better to increase the number of doctors a bit more. If possible, let’s add some more people with experience enough to run a medical school.”

“Let’s add some more artisans needed in District 52.”

Sejong, who was adding such seasonings, looked at Hyang after seeing one person’s name.

“Jin-pyeong? Are you planning to lay railroads in Shinji in earnest? Or is it for the safety of the Crown Prince?”

At Sejong’s point, Hyang looked at Sejong with surprised eyes.

“Did you know?”