Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 754

754. Emperor with Middle School Syndrome (7)

Geumsoon looked utterly bewildered by Hyanggeum’s words.

Seeing Geumsoon’s expression, Hyanggeum explained in more detail.

“When a great fire broke out in Seoul in the past, the Grand Queen Dowager commanded the fire suppression efforts while heavily pregnant. Moreover, during the palace revolt in the year of Giyu, not only the Grand Queen Dowager but also the Queen Dowager herself took up a rifle and subdued the rebels. Because of this, it has become a tradition for the women of the Imperial Family to learn marksmanship.”

“Ah, yes…”

Geumsoon nodded, but Hyanggeum elaborated on the reason for this training.

“The consorts are the ones who can protect their husband, the monarch, most closely and until the very end. Therefore, you must learn marksmanship, even if it is just to protect your husband. In particular, when the person who will become Hyangju’s spouse arrives in Nanjing, they will be in a situation of utter isolation. In such a situation, do not forget that Hyangju must protect that person to the end.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Hyanggeum frowned slightly at Geumsoon’s reply.

“Although Hyangju belongs to the Outer Court [referring to a less central or influential part of the palace], her rank is higher than mine. You must quickly learn the proper address and speaking style.”

“I will—no, I understand.”

* * *

Thus, Geumsoon’s full-fledged palace life began.

She had to learn not only etiquette and courtly language but also higher-level academics than what she had learned at Joonghakdang, the middle school she graduated from. Of course, it wasn’t in-depth, just scratching the surface.

“When you go to Nanjing, there will be times when you will be with the wives of high-ranking officials who hold positions in the Ming court. You must learn at least this much to avoid being looked down upon.”

“Yes, yes…”

“Did you say ‘yes’?”

“Ah, no. I understand well.”

Under Hyanggeum’s stern gaze, Geumsoon had to take rigorous lessons.

Hyanggeum continued to push Geumsoon, who was struggling with the lessons.

“There is not enough time. Things that would normally take several years must be caught up in just a few months. So, even if it is difficult, please try a little harder.”

“I understand…”

After finishing the difficult lessons and returning to her quarters, Geumsoon would collapse on her bed and sigh.

“Hoo~. Classes to get into Lee Academy [a prestigious school] would be easier.”

However, the class that Geumsoon found most difficult was marksmanship.

* * *

The Grand Queen Dowager and the Queen were the ones who taught Geumsoon marksmanship and archery.

Even if one didn’t know archery, the process of correcting posture was essential to properly learn marksmanship, but men from outside the Imperial Family could not freely touch the bodies of the Imperial women.

Therefore, in such cases, a court lady usually had to step in. However, the most knowledgeable people in the Imperial Family about marksmanship were the Queen Dowager and the concubines, who were Hyang’s legal wife and consorts. That was why they trained the Grand Queen Dowager and the Queen.

However, with them being in Shinji with Hyang, the Grand Queen Dowager and the Queen came to teach Geumsoon.

And the Grand Queen Dowager and the Queen rigorously trained Geumsoon.

“Let’s skip archery since you’re somewhat decent at it and focus on marksmanship.”

The Queen Dowager, Soheon, made the decision, and the Queen nodded in agreement, and Geumsoon let out a small sigh of relief.

‘It helped that I shot arrows at the archery range whenever I was bored…’

However, in the subsequent marksmanship training, the Grand Queen Dowager and the Queen put their hands on their foreheads.

Bang!

“Mommy!”

Geumsoon, startled by the sound and recoil of the handgun she had fired, dropped the gun and collapsed to the floor.

“What to do with her… Tsk!”

The Grand Queen Dowager clicked her tongue lightly and looked at Hyanggeum.

“How much has she learned in etiquette and courtly language?”

“She has almost mastered them, and she is now mainly learning Confucian classics and poetry.”

“We will focus on marksmanship training for the time being.”

“Yes…”

After that, Geumsoon had to endure training that was bloody, bruised, and teeth-grinding.

While Geumsoon was going through such hardships, Jukyunsheem was also having a busy time.

* * *

The marriage with Geumsoon, which he thought was the most difficult problem, was easily resolved with Jukyunsheem’s own insistence and the Empire’s support.

“Although being Hyangju is a bit disappointing, I should accept it since it’s better than being a commoner.”

Noble Consort Joo accepted the marriage with Geumsoon, making excuses for herself. Considering Jukyunsheem had insisted on marrying Geumsoon even if she was a commoner, it was a much better condition.

And another benefit offered by the Empire was a decisive reason for accepting the marriage.

-We will unofficially provide a suitable-sized escort force.

As her son Jukyunsheem became emperor, Noble Consort Joo dreamed of revenge.

However, Noble Consort Joo was also clearly aware of the reality that they would be in a situation of isolation.

In this situation, the Empire’s offer to provide an escort force was like welcome rain during a drought.

In the end, Noble Consort Joo reluctantly approved the marriage, citing her son Jukyunsheem’s stubbornness as the reason.

In any case, with the permission of Noble Consort Joo, the highest-ranking elder, the managers of the management office and the eunuch Wangchung searched through the calendar to find a good auspicious day to hold the wedding.

* * *

Having overcome the major hurdle of marriage, Jukyunsheem was huddled with his Jamryonghoe comrades, looking at the Ming court’s organizational chart and related reports that he had previously requested from the management office.

“Isn’t it truly antiquated?”

At Jukyunsheem’s cynical assessment, the comrades nodded.

“It’s a system that has been passed down since the Tang Dynasty at the earliest. No wonder it’s in this shape…”

Jukyunsheem gritted his teeth and spat out bitter words.

The origin of Ming’s administrative organization, especially the central administrative organization, was the Three Departments and Six Ministries system of the Tang Dynasty.

While there were processes of adding and subtracting little by little as the era and country changed, this system had been steadily continued.

Ming also maintained this system in the early days.

However, during the reign of Emperor Hongwu, an incident occurred in which Chancellor Hōuyōng abused his power.

This was called the ‘Hōuyōng Affair’.

Due to this incident, Emperor Hongwu abolished the position of chancellor and changed to a direct control system in which the emperor and the Six Ministries were directly connected.

“This is where the problem arises. It is impossible for the emperor to handle everything.”

Seokjoon, who served as the head of the group, pointed out the problem by tapping the괘도 [organizational chart] hanging on the wall with a pointer.

-I repeat, it is impossible for the emperor to handle everything.

-Therefore, Ming is using eunuchs. And for this reason, the eunuch organization is growing and its power is increasing.

-If this trend continues, it would not be surprising if the infamous Ten Attendants reappeared.

“…Therefore, the first thing to do is to reorganize the eunuch organizations.”

“I agree. Then we should dismantle the Eastern Depot first.”

Pilsoo took over Jukyunsheem’s words.

“The problem is that those eunuchs already have strong power. If you step in directly, it will be disadvantageous. You need a suitable knife.”

Seokjoon took over Pilsoo’s point.

“I recommend using the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Originally, most of the work done by the Eastern Depot is what the Embroidered Uniform Guard should be doing.”

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard…”

Jukyunsheem, who was stroking his chin at Seokjoon’s words, frowned slightly and asked Seokjoon.

“It’s good to dismantle the Eastern Depot by doing that, but isn’t the Embroidered Uniform Guard getting too strong?”

Pilsoo made a suggestion on behalf of Jukyunsheem’s point.

“How about our Jamryonghoe taking over the part that the Eastern Depot had?”

“Jamryonghoe takes over the part that the Eastern Depot had?”

When Jukyunsheem showed curiosity, Pilsoo explained in more detail.

“The role of our Jamryonghoe is to become your personal guard. But we are a minority. Our foundation is also weak. In that situation, even if we become a personal guard, we will not be able to use any power. But if you get your hands on the part that the Eastern Depot had, wouldn’t the power you wield become stronger?”

At Pilsoo’s words, Jukyunsheem nodded but did not forget to point out the problem.

“The problem is how we take over the part that the Eastern Depot had, isn’t it?”

“Dismantling the Eastern Depot doesn’t mean getting rid of all the eunuchs belonging to the Eastern Depot, does it? Just get rid of the head, the Grand Eunuch, and a few below him, and then get your hands on the eunuchs below him.”

“Hmm… It’s okay, but how to get rid of them is the problem.”

At Jukyunsheem’s words, Pilsoo smiled and replied.

“Isn’t there a Wang who risks his life for your sake?”

At Pilsoo’s point, Jukyunsheem’s face brightened.

“Aha!”

With Wangchung decided as the knife to get his hands on the Eastern Depot, the next thing went smoothly.

The leader of the secret guard, who was disguised as a beggar and eavesdropping on the story under the pavilion, shone his eyes.

‘Roughly, the roles of the Jamryonghoe members are being decided.’

Seokjoon, who is recognized as the smartest among the Jamryonghoe members, was skilled at analyzing the situation and identifying what the problem was.

And Pilsoo, who is treated as the leader of the Jamryonghoe, was skilled at finding ways.

And the other comrades found parts that Pilsoo or Seokjoon missed or moved enthusiastically for success.

The leader of the secret guard roughly drew a picture of how they would move in Nanjing.

-If Seokjoon analyzes the power taken from the Eastern Depot, Pilsoo creates a method. And when Jukyunsheem decides to execute it, other comrades move to make things happen.

The leader of the secret guard imagined the picture he had drawn and muttered inwardly.

‘If it goes well, it will be the strongest combination, but if it goes wrong, it will be the seed of division.’

Jukyunsheem and his comrades, who found an alternative to the Eastern Depot problem, returned to the administrative organization problem.

“We have to change it…”

Everyone agreed that Ming’s administrative organization was a problem, but the problem was the answer.

Their knowledge and experience were insufficient to find and present the best answer.

In the end, the result of repeated 고민 [struggle/deliberation] was to bring the Empire’s administrative organization and 변주 [variation/adaptation] it.

“There are some 부족한 [lacking/insufficient] parts, but this is the best we can do now.”

Pilsoo added to Seokjoon’s words.

“The problem is the 명분 [justification/rationale] to carry out such reforms.”

At Pilsoo’s point, Jukyunsheem smiled and replied.

“There is a very good 명분 [justification/rationale].”

“Really? What is it?”

“The crime of losing every time in the last two wars.”

“…”

At Jukyunsheem’s words, Pilsoo and Seokjoon, and the other comrades’ expressions became strange. And Pilsoo told the comrades’ feelings as they were.

“Don’t tell me, are you going to wage war against the Empire too?”

Seeing Pilsoo’s expression become fierce, Jukyunsheem immediately waved his hand.

“No way! I also like wealth and glory! And family peace is also important!”

It was a short sentence, but there were many things hidden inside.

-Preparing for war costs a lot of money.

-Ming’s situation is by no means good now.

-In this situation, to prepare for war, we have to tighten our belts, but I want to avoid it.

-Also, I don’t even want to think about what will happen if the Empress is from the Empire and we go to war with the Empire.

The Jamryonghoe comrades, who knew Jukyunsheem’s 속뜻 [inner thoughts/intentions], burst into laughter at the same time.

“Hahaha!”