Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 783

Distributed by Ajit Novel (formerly Ajitun Novel).

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783. Internal Troubles (1)

Hwangbo-in immediately conveyed Wan’s orders to Crown Prince Hyeon and Jeong In-ji.

“The Emperor’s orders are absolute and must be followed.”

Receiving the order, Crown Prince Hyeon and Jeong In-ji nodded with calm expressions. Hwangbo-in was slightly taken aback by their composed reaction and asked.

“Your Highness, you have been complaining about the lack of personnel every day. Are you sure this is alright?”

Crown Prince Hyeon nodded calmly at Hwangbo-in’s question.

“It is fine. No, it is rather good. It would be one thing if only Ja-sim were lazy, but there were several others influencing those around them, so this is a good opportunity to clean house.”

As Crown Prince Hyeon finished speaking, Jeong In-ji added.

“Lee Soon-ji, the head of the Sanhak Department [mathematics and calculation], refers to them as ‘lumps of dung, those who only create dung,’ so it is good to get rid of them and save the budget.”

Hwangbo-in felt a slight worry at Jeong In-ji’s words.

“Isn’t Lee Soon-ji’s standard too strict?”

* * *

Lee Soon-ji was considered an enigma, along with Hyang and Jang Yeong-sil. He was famous for his outstanding Sanhak skills, to the point of being called incomprehensible, but he was also known for rising to prominence solely through his own abilities, without any backing.

Lee Soon-ji was the one who joined the research institute, initially created by Hyang, as the head of Sanhak. Since then, he continued to be promoted, surpassing his seniors and peers with his outstanding Sanhak skills. Eventually, he became the head of the newly established Sanhak Department as it expanded and reorganized, and it was obvious that he would succeed Jeong In-ji in the future.

The reason why Lee Soon-ji’s succession was taken for granted was partly due to Lee Soon-ji’s qualifications, but also because of the power of the ‘Sanhak Department.’

* * *

As the research institute grew larger, the ‘Sanhak Department,’ which was in charge of Sanhak, was established as a formal department. The Sanhak Department’s duties were to educate the students of Sanhakwon [Sanhak academy] and to assist scholars who studied physics and mechanics.

The Sanhak Department’s job was to help express the concepts conceived by physicists or mechanics in mathematical formulas.

Thanks to this, the scholars belonging to the Sanhak Department had in-depth knowledge of the entire field of research at the research institute.

As a result, it was a great honor for scholars studying abroad and those who completed the Sanhakwon course to enter the research institute’s Sanhak Department.

The problem was Lee Soon-ji, the ‘monster’ who existed in that ‘glorious Sanhak Department.’

* * *

Lee Soon-ji was a person who lived up to the nickname ‘incomprehensible.’ No matter how difficult a concept or theory was, Lee Soon-ji could create a formula within a few days.

Thanks to this, the scholars at the research institute openly said this.

“When I explain a concept, no one understands, but they all recognize Lee Soon-ji’s formula. However, only those who are capable truly understand it.”

The problem was his harsh words, which were as famous as Lee Soon-ji’s abilities.

If you were even slightly insincere or failed to create or prove the formula properly, you had to endure his scathing criticism.

‘The artist of formulas, the murderer of harsh words.’

Professors and students from Europe gave him this nickname.

However, there were hardly any people who genuinely hated Lee Soon-ji. He only used harsh words when someone failed to properly handle the assigned tasks. On the other hand, if someone handled the work properly or achieved good results, he recorded it clearly and reported it to the higher-ups.

Thanks to this, these words had been circulating among scholars and professors belonging to the Sanhak Department for some time.

“His harsh words are not meant to be wrong, so if you can’t avoid them, embrace them.”

Later, Lee Soon-ji, who heard this, looked rather bewildered.

“Embrace it if you can’t avoid it? Why would anyone embrace being insulted? If you enjoy that, you’re crazy, right?”

* * *

This was why Hwangbo-in was worried.

“I’m afraid Lee Soon-ji will set the standards too strictly?”

Crown Prince Wan smiled slightly at Hwangbo-in’s remark and replied.

“Lee Soon-ji is also enjoying using people these days, so he will cut them off appropriately, so you don’t have to worry.”

“That’s right. And I will also filter them once, so there won’t be any big problems.”

“Then….”

Hwangbo-in nodded with a relieved expression.

* * *

Two months later, about 40 international students and professors were expelled from the research institute and Sanhakwon.

“It’s unfair!”

“Give me one more chance!”

The international students and professors who were subject to expulsion asked for another chance, but Wan and the administrators were firm.

“As scholars, you must not be lazy in the pursuit of truth, not even for a moment. However, you have been lazy. There is no value in reconsidering!”

With Wan’s firm answer, they had to board a ship to Suez.

“Hoo~.”

While those who boarded the ship sighed in regret, the courtesans of Seoul’s gisaeng houses [traditional Korean courtesan houses] also sighed.

“Hoo~. A lot of big spenders have left, so it will be difficult to do business.”

Whether the courtesans sighed or not, Wan and the administrators looked relieved.

“In this way, we have been able to weed out those who are doing absurd things.”

“That’s right. It is a good thing because it gives other international students and professors a sense of alertness and makes them more faithful to their main job, and those who are trying to do absurd things can be expelled without much fuss. All of this is thanks to His Majesty’s wise decision.”

“That’s right!”

As soon as Hwangbo-in finished speaking, all the other officials praised Wan. Wan, who was embarrassed, soon moved on to the next topic.

“Okay! Let’s stop gilding my face and move on to the next topic! There are mountains of things to discuss today!”

“Yes.”

“First, let’s take a breather and continue. Have the eunuchs bring the tea.”

At Wan’s command, the eunuchs brought trays containing teapots and cups filled with black bean tea.

Wan and the officials took a breather while drinking a cup of black bean tea and continued the meeting.

“Let’s see. I heard that the internal affairs of Japan are still noisy. To what extent?”

Hwangbo-in stepped forward and answered Wan’s question.

“There is a rumor that Yoshinori Ouchi, the ruler of Japan, is suffering from a mental illness because of this problem.”

* * *

During this period, Japan was in turmoil, divided into two groups: those who advocated ‘preserving the Emperor’ and those who advocated ‘abdication.’

-The Emperor must relinquish all power and only oversee rituals.

-The Emperor is the one and only ruler of our Japan, who has been passed down through generations! Rather, the Shogun of the Shogunate should step down from the regency and kanpaku [chief advisor to the Emperor] and return power to His Majesty the Emperor!

The two factions, which were evenly matched, began to mobilize their forces.

Naturally, the key figures of the shogunate subtly supported the ‘abdication faction,’ and the outnumbered preservation faction carried out terrorist attacks.

In order to suppress the samurai who were hired by the preservation faction to carry out terrorist attacks, the shogunate created the Battotai [special forces unit].

In order to quell the increasingly severe internal turmoil, Yoshinori, who needed visible achievements, mobilized diplomatic means.

* * *

“Call it Japan, not Wa [ancient name for Japan]?”

Masahiro, Yoshinori’s son who came as an envoy, bowed his head and answered Wan’s question.

“That’s right. Our country has been using the name Japan since the Silla Dynasty [ancient Korean kingdom]. In addition, it is also specified as Japan in the national letters of the Empire and the Ming Dynasty [Chinese dynasty], which are our superior countries.”

“That’s right.”

Wan nodded at Masahiro’s words. In the national letters sent by Joseon [Korean kingdom] and the Empire to Wa, the Shogun of the Shogunate was written as ‘King of Japan.’

This was also the case with Ming. The national letters sent from Ming to Wa were written as ‘Japan.’

Masahiro bowed his head again at Wan’s affirmation and continued.

“However, the writers and commoners of the superior country call our country Wa (倭國) and our people Waein. This Wa comes from the Wa (矮), which means small.”

“Hmm…. That’s true.”

Masahiro prostrated himself and raised his voice as if spitting blood.

“I earnestly appeal to Your Majesty! Decades have passed since our country looked up to the Empire as a superior country! Our country’s writers admire and do not hesitate to follow the ways of the Empire, and the warriors are working hard to improve their bodies and minds to defend the country by emulating the Imperial Army. The people also admire the Empire in the same way! In this situation, the writers and people of the superior country call our country and our people Wa, which is derogatory. How can this be said to be right! Please ban the use of the name Wa and order it to be called Japan! This will be the cornerstone for the good neighborliness between the two countries to continue for generations.”

“Hmm…….”

Masahiro’s words were over, but Wan did not open his mouth easily. Wan, who stroked his chin and thought for a while, soon opened his mouth.

“I will give you an answer after discussing it with the officials. Let the envoy wait at the envoy’s quarters.”

At Wan’s command, Masahiro politely paid his respects and left the palace.

Wan, who had sent Masahiro out, asked the officials.

“The words of the Wa envoy do not seem to be wrong. What do you think?”

Hwangbo-in answered first at Wan’s question.

“It is true that it has been written as Japan in national letters since ancient times. Also, it is not polite to belittle the countries and people who are continuing good neighborly relations. The problem is that it is Wa.”

As Hwangbo-in finished speaking, Kim Jong-seo took over.

“The reason why Wa is called Wa is not only because people’s bodies are small. It is because the minds and actions of the Wa people are petty. They follow small things rather than great things, and they often abandon their faith in pursuit of immediate gains. They are called Wa because they are unreliable petty people like this. They are talking about good neighborliness that will last for generations, but I honestly find it difficult to trust them.”

Wan also shared his honest feelings at Kim Jong-seo’s words.

“You are not the only one who cannot believe in the good neighborliness and faith that the Wa people speak of. The words that the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor continued to say were the same. ‘The Wa people are those who change their decisions more easily than turning their hands over, different from yesterday and today. You can never trust them.’”

“That’s right.”

The officials all nodded at Wan’s words. Hwangbo-in opened his mouth on behalf of such officials.

“What the envoy said is not wrong. However, we cannot believe in the ‘good neighborliness over generations’ that he spoke of. The reason why the Ouchi, who now rule Wa, are serving us and continuing good neighborliness is because it is beneficial to them. If they think that harming us will bring them greater benefits, they will not hesitate to abandon their faith. The problem is that if we reject Ouchi’s request, we can give them a good excuse.”

“That’s the problem.”

Kim Ha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stepped forward at Wan’s words.

“Like the Prime Minister said, we don’t need to give them bad feelings first. Also, the Ouchi, who now rule Wa, are helping our Empire, so it is good for us to respond appropriately. Honestly, is the reason why they suddenly made this request really because of that reason? Isn’t it to gain momentum in the current chaotic internal situation?”

“That’s right.”

In the end, Wan concluded by accepting Ouchi’s request.