Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 755

As time passed, stories of Geum-soon’s life in the palace began to circulate.

When Geum-soon’s parents visited her at Gyeongbok Palace, she lamented how difficult her days were. However, her parents could only reply:

“Once you become the Ming Emperor’s woman, you will face even more challenging situations. Consider this preparation for that, and please endure it a little longer.”

“Mother! Father!”

“Please endure.”

Though they said this to Geum-soon, her parents were also deeply troubled.

Returning home, Geum-soon’s parents confided in their closest acquaintances to ease their worries.

Because it concerned the royal family, they spoke only to trustworthy individuals known for their discretion. However, at some point, these words spread like wildfire, growing with each retelling.

Among these rumors, the most talked about was the martial training of the royal women.

People who heard the rumors couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“Wow! The royal family is truly amazing!”

“Right? We commoners are only good at archery. Gunnery… doesn’t that involve using expensive gunpowder? The royal family is indeed extraordinary.”

Before the Joseon Dynasty, archery had been a popular pastime. Therefore, gunnery was seen as a more expensive version of archery.

However, one person turned pale upon hearing this rumor.

It was Joo Gyeon-sim.

Upon hearing the rumors, Pil-su and the other members of the Hidden Dragon Society teased Joo Gyeon-sim.

“Hey, you better treat Geum-soon well, even when you go to Nanjing. Or else, you might wake up with a hole in you, you know?”

“Don’t even think about having two concubines.”

The Hidden Dragon Society members, who had been teasing him, shook their heads when they saw Joo Gyeon-sim’s pale face and profuse sweating.

“Hey! How can you take a joke so seriously!”

“Do you think Geum-soon would really do that?”

However, Joo Gyeon-sim replied with a terrified expression.

“I’m worried because it seems like Geum-soon really would do that.”

“Oh, come on….”

* * *

Amidst all the commotion, Joo Gyeon-sim’s departure date was set.

It was three months after accepting the Ming court’s request.

“It seems like preparations are not fully complete yet….”

Joo Gyeon-sim still felt things were lacking and couldn’t hide his disappointment.

However, the situation in Ming was not good. With the Emperor’s throne vacant for months, ominous movements were appearing from all directions. As a result, the Ming court sent envoys almost daily, urging him to return quickly.

Eventually, Joo Gyeon-sim’s return date was set, and ten days before his departure, the wedding between Joo Gyeon-sim and Geum-soon, or rather, Onyang Hyangju [Princess Consort of Onyang], was held.

The wedding, held at the residence of Duke Anpyeong, was attended by both Wan and Sejong.

On the surface, it was to show their attendance at a royal family celebration, but in reality, it was a form of pressure on Ming.

-The Emperor and the Supreme Emperor of the Empire are paying such close attention. So, don’t even think about doing anything rash!

After the wedding, Joo Gyeon-sim and his wife, along with Royal Noble Consort Joo, Eunuch Wang Chung, other remaining Ming people, members of the Hidden Dragon Society, court ladies to assist Geum-soon – both real court ladies and female warriors for protection – and finally, family guards to protect the Hidden Dragon Society members – actually military officers selected from the army – moved to Jemulpo [present-day Incheon, South Korea].

In Jemulpo, ships sent by Ming were already anchored, waiting for Joo Gyeon-sim’s party.

The Minister of Rites, who led the welcoming delegation, immediately knelt and paid his respects upon seeing Joo Gyeon-sim.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor! Long live, long live, long long live!”

“Thank you for the warm welcome. Let’s board the ship.”

“I will guide you!”

Guided by the Minister of Rites, Joo Gyeon-sim and his wife, Royal Noble Consort Joo, Eunuch Wang Chung, and Geum-soon’s court ladies boarded the ship.

The problem arose here.

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be better to have the Empire’s court ladies board a different ship?”

At the Minister of Rites’ suggestion, Joo Gyeon-sim shouted.

“Are you saying that those who will assist the Empress should board a different ship!”

“If they are such people, they are already prepared on the ship.”

“Have them board a different ship! All the eunuchs as well!”

“However, Your Majesty. This is against….”

“It is an order!”

“If so, at least the eunuchs….”

“I said it is an order!”

At Joo Gyeon-sim’s firm answer, the Minister of Rites had to move the court ladies and eunuchs who came with him to another ship.

After boarding Joo Gyeon-sim’s party, the Minister of Rites muttered with a worried expression.

“An Empress from the Empire?”

* * *

As soon as Joo Gyeon-sim’s party boarded, all the ships sent by Ming raised their anchors and left Jemulpo.

As the Ming fleet sailed out into the sea off Jemulpo, the Empire’s fleet began to escort them.

The Challenger-class battleships, raising all sails and escorting the fleet with dignity, and the two Assault Turtle Ships moving right next to them, spewing black smoke, made the Ming people feel intimidated.

“You are Eunuch Wang?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

At the Minister of Rites’ question, Wang Chung bowed respectfully. Seeing this, the Minister of Rites cautiously approached.

“How much hardship did you endure while staying in the Empire for so long? Eunuch Wang’s contribution is truly great.”

“You flatter me. I simply did what I had to do.”

“You will receive compensation for that hardship when you return?”

“I did not do it for compensation. I simply did my best as a eunuch.”

The Minister of Rites clicked his tongue quietly at Wang Chung’s polite but firm refusal.

‘He has a lot of pent-up feelings. It is certain that he will take a position when he arrives in Nanjing, but I should be careful.’

Sensing danger in Wang Chung’s attitude, the Minister of Rites changed the subject.

“That is an enormous fleet. It seems the Empire is very concerned.”

Wang Chung immediately responded to the Minister of Rites’ words.

“Isn’t it natural since the Empire’s Hyangju is on board? Rather, I feel very relieved that they are protecting us so thoroughly.”

“I see….”

The Minister of Rites trailed off at Wang Chung’s answer. With a dark expression, the Minister of Rites closed his mouth and looked at the Empire’s fleet surrounding them.

In the conversation just now, the Minister of Rites realized one important fact.

‘Not only the Emperor but even the eunuch is relying on the Empire! That is certain! If something bad happens to the new Emperor, there is a very high possibility that the Empire will intervene!’

As the thought reached that point, the Minister of Rites’ expression darkened even further.

‘Considering the battles so far, the Empire has always taken a defensive stance before counterattacking. But if they launch an all-out offensive from the beginning, we are finished!’

* * *

After a tedious voyage, the fleet carrying Joo Gyeon-sim’s party arrived at the Ming naval port of Nantong (南通).

As Joo Gyeon-sim disembarked, the Ming soldiers who had been waiting knelt down and paid their respects all at once.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor! Long live, long live, long long live!”

In response to the soldiers’ welcome, Joo Gyeon-sim replied with a calm expression.

“Thank you for welcoming me so warmly. You may rise.”

“We are honored, Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long long live!”

Following this, Joo Gyeon-sim finished his introductory meeting with the naval commanders guarding Nantong and rewarded the naval soldiers with alcohol and meat.

Boarding a ship heading up the Yangtze River to Nanjing, Joo Gyeon-sim asked the Minister of Rites.

“Are we going to take a ship all the way to Nanjing like this?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Is there no railroad?”

“Railroads have been built to the north and south, separated by the Yangtze River.”

“You mean they haven’t crossed the Yangtze River?”

“We are sorry.”

“The Empire has built bridges with railroads over the Han River, the Daedong River, and the Cheongcheon River, as well as most other rivers, but our Ming has not yet?”

At Joo Gyeon-sim’s rebuke, the Minister of Rites bowed his head and replied.

“Both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River are such large rivers that we have not been able to build them. We are sorry.”

“No, does our Ming not even have that level of technology?”

“Many artisans were taken to Japan during the last war….”

“If we lost people, we should have thought about raising them again! You didn’t even do that?”

“We are sorry.”

At the Minister of Rites’ repeated bowing, Joo Gyeon-sim clicked his tongue without realizing it.

“Tsk! That’s why….”

Joo Gyeon-sim forcibly suppressed the words, ‘That’s why we suffered such a crushing defeat in the Yellow Sea last time!’

Meanwhile, the Minister of Rites felt a chill at the sound of Joo Gyeon-sim clicking his tongue.

‘I heard that Imperial officials have seizures just from hearing the Imperial Emperor click his tongue, and I can see why! By the way, the new Emperor has lived in the Empire for a long time!’

With the three generations of Sejong, Hyang, and Wan, clicking one’s tongue when dissatisfied had become a common sight among the people of the Empire.

From the ministers who suffered under Sejong, Hyang, and Wan, clicking their tongues when something displeased them became a daily occurrence, and over time, it naturally spread downward.

* * *

After several days, Joo Gyeon-sim’s party arrived in Nanjing.

At the pier in Nanjing, all the high-ranking officials of the court, including the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, eunuchs, and high-ranking officials of the Embroidered Uniform Guard [Ming Dynasty secret police], came out to wait for Joo Gyeon-sim.

As the ship carrying Joo Gyeon-sim arrived at the pier and Joo Gyeon-sim disembarked, everyone who had been waiting knelt down and paid their respects all at once.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor. Long live, long live, long long live!”

“I am pleased by your welcome.”

Following the calm response, Joo Gyeon-sim was guided by the Minister of Rites to greet the officials who had been waiting.

After the brief introductory meeting, Joo Gyeon-sim’s party boarded the palanquins [covered sedan chairs] prepared in advance and entered Nanjing.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor! Long live, long live, long long live!”

The residents of Nanjing, who were out on the streets, prostrated themselves on the ground and shouted long live as soon as they saw the palanquin carrying Joo Gyeon-sim.

Listening to the cheers of the people, Joo Gyeon-sim entered the Nanjing Imperial Palace.

* * *

After arriving in Nanjing, Joo Gyeon-sim began to handle state affairs in earnest as soon as he recovered from his fatigue.

The first thing Joo Gyeon-sim decided upon starting state affairs was the establishment of a reign title (年號) [era name used during an emperor’s reign].

“Since we are gradually emerging from the past hardships, I think Seonghwa (成化), meaning to move towards completion, would be good.”

After pondering for a moment at the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet’s report, Joo Gyeon-sim nodded.

“Good. Let’s decide on Seonghwa.”

“I receive the order.”

Bowing his head, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet muttered inwardly.

‘He is very different from what the Minister of Rites said? If he continues to be like that, state affairs could become easier to manage.’

However, this optimistic thought collapsed miserably not long after.

“A national marriage (國婚) [marriage of the emperor to a woman chosen to represent the nation]?”

“Yes.”

“But I already have an Empress.”

At Joo Gyeon-sim’s words, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet immediately responded.

“She was born and raised in the Empire. I do not know about a concubine, but she is not suitable as the mother of the nation (國母) [Empress].”

At the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet’s answer, Joo Gyeon-sim’s expression immediately turned fierce. Joo Gyeon-sim shouted at the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet in an angry voice.

“What? Not suitable because she is from the Empire? Then what am I, who was born and raised in the Empire? Am I also not suitable as the father of the nation?”

“Th, that’s not….”

“Speak properly!”

At Joo Gyeon-sim’s roar, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet turned pale and frantically racked his brain. However, there was only one conclusion.

‘It’s a checkmate!’

In the end, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet had no choice but to wave the white flag.

“I misspoke.”

“Then, let’s consider the national marriage story as non-existent. Those who oppose, step forward!”

No one stepped forward at Joo Gyeon-sim’s command.

In this way, Joo Gyeon-sim’s reign began by suppressing the spirits of the officials and the powerful.

-A reformist monarch who devoted himself to the reconstruction of Ming.

-A dark lord who could not escape the shadow of the Empire.

It was the beginning of Joo Gyeon-sim’s reign, which would receive extremely contrasting evaluations.

*****************************************************

Distributed by Ajit Novel (formerly Ajitun Novel).

Enjoy conveniently in real-time on the web.

****************************************************