Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 751

751. Emperor Suffering from Middle School Syndrome (4)

The management office, having compiled Jugyeonsim’s requests, immediately reported them to their superiors.

Wan, who received the final report, examined the contents and asked his ministers,

“Has there been any change in the Ming court?”

“None, Your Majesty.”

“Not a single change? Really?”

At Wan’s incredulous expression, Hwangbo-in stepped forward to answer.

“There has not been a single change.”

At Hwangbo-in’s reply, Wan shook his head.

“Our empire has changed its system several times since it was the old Joseon… Not a single change. Do they not know how much the world has changed?”

* * *

Around the time Sejong’s reforms were concluding, the Joseon court underwent a major transformation. And as Joseon transformed into an empire, it was revised once more.

Through this process, the traditional Six Ministries (六曹) became the Six Departments, and in addition, semi-independent departments named Won, Cheo, and Cheong were created.

As the empire grew in size and the interests among the people became more complex, the administrative structure inevitably became more complex as well.

Moreover, with the application of a primitive system of separation of powers, the empire’s administrative organization became the most complex in the world during this period.

And even that was not enough; there was even a separate institution dedicated to researching ways to improve the efficiency of the imperial administrative organization.

It was in this situation that Wan shook his head.

“Even the Wa [Japanese] are trying to change their court by imitating our empire, yet they still cannot escape the Tang Dynasty system that has been passed down from the past… Tsk tsk…”

Wan, clicking his tongue without realizing it, issued an order.

“Nevertheless, we do not know his intentions fully, so grant his request.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Having issued the order to his ministers, Wan examined the report again and organized it one by one.

“The issue of the comrades he requested to take with him should be put on hold for a moment, and let’s look into this marriage matter first. What are the parents of this Yang Geum-sun?”

At Wan’s question, the person in charge stepped forward to answer.

“They run one of the top five rice shops and breweries in the Seochon area.”

“So, they are quite wealthy?”

“Yes, they are quite influential in their neighborhood.”

“What is their background? Are they from a noble family?”

“They are commoners.”

“Hmm…”

“How does this Yang Geum-sun feel about him?”

“She seems to think well of him, but it is more appropriate to see them as close siblings.”

“So, he is even more eager?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm… Even if they are like siblings, if we push for the marriage, the woman’s family is likely to accept it?”

“Very likely. The rumors have already spread throughout the neighborhood…”

“Ah…”

Nodding at the person in charge’s answer, Wan pondered for a moment and turned to Hwangbo-in.

“Would it look good for a daughter from a wealthy but humble family to become an imperial concubine?”

“It is the Ming imperial family. No matter how much money they have, how can they compare?”

“Still, let’s think about it. If the imperial concubine and her close associates are from the empire, wouldn’t it help the relationship between Ming and the empire?”

“Of course, it could be helpful. However, if we are not careful, it could be seen as a means for the empire to interfere in Ming’s internal affairs.”

“But he asked for it first?”

“How many people would consider that?”

“If we reject all but the first of his requests, wouldn’t he harbor ill feelings towards our empire?”

“There is a possibility of that.”

“Hmm…”

Wan, pondering again at Hwangbo-in’s words, came to a conclusion.

“Let’s think about this part a little more and then make a decision.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

That night, Wan visited Sejong’s residence again.

Sejong’s first question after hearing the situation from Wan was this:

“What are the talents of those who belong to that group called the Hidden Dragon Society?”

At Sejong’s question, Wan gave a bitter smile.

‘His desire for talent is still the same.’

Wan, smiling bitterly at Sejong’s unchanging desire for talent, straightened his expression and replied.

“They are not good enough for me to use, but too good to give to others.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong, pondering for a moment at Wan’s question, pointed out the problem.

“Even if those members resolve to share life and death with him and go to Nanjing, they won’t be able to communicate, so that will be the biggest problem. And if the newly crowned emperor favors them, the existing powerful officials will try to harm not only the members but also the emperor himself. Do you think he has a way to prevent this?”

Wan, pondering a solution to Sejong’s point, brightened his eyes and replied to Sejong.

“Perhaps, our empire wants to provide him with that method?”

“Our empire wants to protect him? Hmm…”

Sejong, calculating for a moment at Wan’s answer, nodded.

“Indeed, that could be the case. Although he has become the emperor, the fact that he is isolated and helpless does not change.”

“That is correct. So, I think it is accurate to think that he is trying to secure his safety by using his comrades and the woman he likes.”

“Even so, the problem remains. If we keep our empire’s troops in Nanjing, there will immediately be talk of interference in internal affairs.”

“Wouldn’t it be possible if they don’t stay there openly? It has been a long time since private soldiers were banned, but there are still families who secretly keep a few ‘bodyguards’ or other names, isn’t there?”

“That’s true.”

Sejong nodded at Wan’s words.

Private soldiers had been banned since Taejong’s reign, and possessing private soldiers was completely prohibited through the suppression of the Giyu Rebellion [a political purge]. However, families with much to protect still possessed private soldiers. Of course, they were only a dozen or so at most, and their weapons were limited to swords, so the empire’s police pretended not to know.

“If we send an appropriate number under the guise of bodyguards sent by the family, he will be satisfied.”

“It’s a good method, but it’s a bit of a waste to give away talent.”

Wan smiled bitterly once again at Sejong’s continued desire for talent.

“There are already many excellent talents in the empire. If we bear with a little regret and send them to make Ming friendly with the empire, wouldn’t that be even better?”

“You must not forget that there is no guarantee that it will be so. If we are not careful, they may cause conflict.”

“Wouldn’t that be even better for our empire?”

At Wan’s words, Sejong stared at Wan for a moment before opening his mouth.

“When I see you like this, I know for sure whose son the emperor is.”

“You flatter me. And, I am sorry to say, but His Majesty is the eldest son of the Supreme Emperor.”

It was Wan who inflicted a fact bomb, saying, ‘You are the one who gave birth to that rascal!’

Sejong, smiling bitterly at Wan’s fact bomb, soon told his conclusion.

“If you ask me, I think it would be good to send his comrades if they want to be together. Of course, we must also take measures to protect them.”

“I also think that is appropriate.”

“Then, now the problem is his marriage… The fact that he directly requested us seems to mean that he wants us to be matchmakers.”

“Ah! I didn’t even think that far.”

“Perhaps, he thought that if we stepped in, Consort Ju and her family would accept it as well.”

Wan, nodding at Sejong’s words, took the words.

“He is a quick calculator. If he is a quick calculator, it would be good to make him a definite ally of ours.”

“I agree. The problem is that the woman’s family is too humble…”

Sejong, tapping the desk with his finger and calculating this and that, turned to Wan.

“We need to bring Anpyeong Gongjak [Duke Anpyeong].”

Wan, who immediately understood what Sejong meant, nodded immediately.

“I will call someone right away.”

* * *

While Sejong and Wan were plotting this and that, Jugyeonsim was also moving busily.

“Hey, Hidden Dragon. I heard that people are frequently coming and going from your house these days. Did something big happen?”

At Pilsu’s sincere concern, Jugyeonsim smiled lightly and replied.

“Something big happened.”

“Is there anything we can help with? We can help with anything except lending money.”

At Pilsu’s words, Jugyeonsim became serious and looked at Pilsu and the other comrades.

“Can you really help? You guys too?”

“We will help. Aren’t we comrades?”

“Yes! We are comrades! If there is anything we can help with, we will help.”

At the comrades’ serious answers, Jugyeonsim took a light breath and brought up the main point.

“Then, would you like to change the sky with me?”

When the word ‘sky’ suddenly came out, Jugyeonsim’s comrades were momentarily stunned.

“What? Are you suggesting treason?”

“Treason is out of the question!”

At Jugyeonsim’s firm answer, Seokjun’s eyes lit up.

“Then, are you really going to ascend [become emperor]?”

At Seokjun’s question, Jugyeonsim nodded.

“That’s right.”

“Then, do you want us to change your title right now?”

“Not yet.”

“What kind of Zen dialogue is this?”

At Pilsu’s question, who did not understand the conversation between Jugyeonsim and Seokjun, Seokjun stepped forward to answer.

“Hidden Dragon has become the emperor of Ming.”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

“Uh?”

At Seokjun’s explanation, the other comrades momentarily fell into a state of panic. It was because something they had never even thought of, or rather, only imagined, had actually happened.

Looking at the faces of such comrades, Jugyeonsim continued.

“Let’s change the sky of Nanjing together.”

It was a long time after Jugyeonsim’s words ended that anyone easily opened their mouth.

The first to break the silence was Pilsu.

“Hoo~.”

Pilsu, breaking the silence with a sigh, stared straight at Jugyeonsim.

“It is certain that you and we are comrades. And it is also true that we will sincerely help you if you need help. But you are a Ming person, and we are imperial people. As imperial people, we cannot do anything that would harm the empire.”

At Pilsu’s words, Jugyeonsim immediately replied.

“I swear to the heavens and earth that I will not do anything that will harm the empire.”

“Really?”

“Really. I will even write a blood oath if you want.”

“Hmm…”

At Jugyeonsim’s answer, Pilsu and the other comrades looked at Jugyeonsim with even more serious faces.

“But why us?”

“You are the only ones I can truly trust. If I go to Nanjing, I will be isolated and only be used.”

At Jugyeonsim’s words, the comrades all nodded. It was obvious that it would be so even if they thought about it.

“I can’t live a life where I’m only used like that. If I have risen to the sky, shouldn’t I fly 멋지게 [with style] once? And if it’s you guys that I’ve seen, I think you can help me enough.”

At Jugyeonsim’s words, Seokjun smiled slyly and interjected.

“Aren’t you overestimating us too much?”

“No, I have come to a conclusion after judging it seriously enough.”

“If others hear it, they will say it’s middle school syndrome [a phase of adolescent grandiosity].”

“That must be because their eyes are like the holes in a gourd dipper [blinded by ignorance].”

Seeing Jugyeonsim, who would not hesitate to say, ‘That’s why it’s called middle school syndrome!’ if others heard it, Seokjun pointed out the problem again.

“We can’t speak Ming. Of course, thanks to you, basic conversation is possible, but not enough to engage in debates.”

“That’s even better. You guys won’t be 넘어가지 [deceived] by 교언 (巧言, skillfully decorated words) and will only analyze the facts, and only I will know that, right?”

“If we are not careful, your life and ours may be in danger.”

“If the empire has any thoughts, it will come up with a way for that part.”

“Hmm…”

While everyone was calculating this and that at Jugyeonsim’s words, the quietest comrade opened his mouth.

“Everything is good… But what are you going to do with Geum-sun?”

“I will definitely marry her!”