Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 82

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

82. A Commoner in White (1)

As March began, strange rumors started circulating in Hanseong [present-day Seoul, the capital of Joseon Dynasty].

Gwon Jin, the Mayor of Hanseong, immediately reported the rumors to Sejong [the King] .

“Your Majesty, there are slanderous rumors spreading throughout the capital.”

“Slanderous rumors? What are they?”

“It is truly blasphemous to even speak of it…”

“It’s alright. Speak.”

At Sejong’s words, Gwon Jin cautiously relayed the content of the rumors.

“‘When crows cry on the pine trees of the Jongmyo Shrine [royal ancestral shrine], when the sky is fickle with the weather, and when black clouds drift as rain falls, it is the time for the dynasty to change.’ So it goes…”

Before Gwon Jin could finish, Sejong slammed his armrest and shouted.

“Such insolence!”

At Sejong’s roar, the officials fell silent and only watched his expression.

“Very well. Have you found the source of this outrageous talk?”

“We are conducting a thorough investigation.”

“Find the one who is spreading such slander without fail!”

“I obey your command.”

After giving the order to the Mayor of Hanseong, Sejong issued a command to the Minister of Justice.

“Are there still ruthless individuals attempting arson these days?”

“I regret to inform you, Your Majesty, that there are still those who commit such heinous acts.”

“Have you ever seen such audacity!”

Sejong once again slammed his armrest, venting his frustration.

Since the great fire in February, there had been people in Hanseong who set fires and then attempted to steal in the chaos.

However, their attempts often ended with only houses being burned.

This was because military forces defending the capital were deployed throughout Hanseong to maintain security and rebuild the damaged areas, leaving their garrisons.

It wasn’t just a large number of soldiers who were deployed.

Residents of each district and neighborhood also formed groups to keep watch from the rooftops.

In addition, a curfew was enforced as soon as the sun set. After dark, anyone found outside without permission for nighttime work was immediately arrested and imprisoned in the Pochen jail.

Despite these enhanced security measures, those seeking to make a quick profit by committing arson continued to appear.

Due to the fires they set, more than 50 houses were burned even after the great fire, resulting in casualties and displaced people.

However, those who committed arson were immediately caught by the Sungwan [Capital Guards] and Byulsun officers [patrol officers], as well as soldiers, and received the ultimate penalty.

* * *

While the investigation to catch the person who spread the rumor of ‘the dynasty is changing!’ was underway, another rumor began to circulate.

‘The recent fire was the work of Minister of War Jo Malsaeng! Minister of War Jo Malsaeng ordered people to set fire to burn weapons while the King was away from the capital, and Goksan County Lord Yeon Sa-jong did not follow the King’s procession and was plotting something. Also, Jo Malsaeng’s son, Jo Seon, and his relative, Gongnyeong County Lord Yi In, set fire on the day of the fire and then tried to attack the palace on horseback.’

As this rumor spread, Jo Malsaeng prostrated himself before Sejong and cried out his innocence.

“Your Majesty! I have not committed such a heinous act! Please believe in my loyalty!”

“Of course. You have held important positions since the reign of the late King.”

Comforting Jo Malsaeng, who was pleading his innocence, Sejong issued an order.

“Quickly find and arrest the one who is spreading these false rumors!”

After a thorough investigation that scoured the entire Hanseong, a suspect was apprehended.

“We have apprehended the suspect.”

“Who is it?”

“A former magistrate named Kim Yong-saeng.”

At the Mayor of Hanseong’s reply, Sejong expressed his doubt.

“A magistrate is at least a senior official of the third rank. Why would such a person spread such slander?”

“We are currently investigating the reason.”

“Turn him over to the Uigeumbu [Royal Secret Investigation Bureau] and confirm the facts as quickly as possible.”

“I obey your command!”

After a few days, the Chief of the Uigeumbu directly reported the results of the investigation to Sejong.

“Kim Yong-saeng holds a deep personal grudge against Minister of War Jo Malsaeng and Goksan County Lord Yeon Sa-jong, which led him to commit this act.”

“Hmm…”

At the Chief of the Uigeumbu’s explanation, Sejong sighed.

“What kind of grudge did he hold that he would commit such an act? Whether the accusation is true or not, wouldn’t one side be completely annihilated?”

Sejong’s question was valid.

Accusations of treason were a gamble with one’s life, whether one made the accusation or was accused.

If the accusation was true, the accused’s entire family would be destroyed, and if it was false, the opposite would happen.

“That is…”

“Speak.”

At Sejong’s command, the Chief of the Uigeumbu explained the situation.

“…Therefore, Kim Yong-saeng, who harbored a grudge due to this bribery issue, spread the slander.”

“Hmm…”

Sejong was speechless with disbelief. Sejong’s eyes were fixed on Jo Malsaeng, who was prostrating on one side.

“Minister of War.”

“Yes, yes! Your Majesty!”

“I remember what the late King said to you. ‘I originally wanted to make you a Prime Minister, but we’ll do that slowly, so don’t refuse.'”

“Your Majesty…”

Sejong’s voice grew colder.

“Refrain from official duties for the time being. The Chief Censor, listen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Investigate the bribery issues related to the Minister of War.”

“I obey your command!”

The Chief Censor’s voice, as he answered, seemed delighted.

It wasn’t just the Chief Censor who was excited. The censors of the Office of the Censorate, who had found prey after a long time, investigated relentlessly.

As a result, what could be called the biggest bribery scandal of the Sejong era, or even of the entire Joseon Dynasty, was uncovered.

The scandal was recorded in the Veritable Records as the ‘Kim Do-ryeon Bribery Case.’

“According to the investigation, a man named Kim Do-yeon bribed former and current officials, including the Minister of War and Goksan County Lord Yeon Sa-jong, to manipulate lawsuits. As a result, he seized the property and slaves of the brothers Kim Song and Kim Jin, who lived in Hongwon County, Hamheung Prefecture, and turned hundreds of their relatives into slaves.”

“Hmm…”

At the Chief Censor’s report, Sejong looked speechless.

According to the Chief Censor’s report, Kim Do-yeon’s case was a stark demonstration of what ‘inhumanity’ truly meant.

The case began when the perpetrator, Kim Do-yeon, coveted Kim Saeng’s wealth. Kim Saeng, who had been friends with Kim Do-yeon’s grandfather, had moved to Hamgil Province and, after experiencing many twists and turns, had become a self-made millionaire with vast fields and over a thousand slaves.

Greedy for this wealth, Kim Do-yeon fabricated documents claiming that Kim Saeng was originally a slave of his family who had fled to Hamgil Province and filed a lawsuit.

To win this lawsuit, Kim Do-yeon bribed high-ranking officials with enormous amounts of money.

Thanks to the bribes he spread, Kim Do-yeon won the lawsuit and took possession of 426 descendants of Kim Saeng, over 1,000 slaves, and fields.

“…Therefore, the list of those who received bribes from this Kim Do-yeon is as follows.”

Sejong unfolded the scroll submitted by the Chief Censor and checked the names written on it.

“The names of the Minister of War and the County Lord of Goksan are at the very top.”

At Sejong’s words, Jo Malsaeng prostrated himself and shouted.

“Please kill me!”

Ignoring Jo Malsaeng’s cry, Sejong ordered the Chief Censor.

“The Office of the Censorate and the Office of the Inspector-General shall immediately investigate and report how much each of the people on this list received.”

“I obey your command!”

The voices of the Chief Censor and the Chief of the Inspector-General, as they answered loudly, were filled with murderous intent.

Meanwhile, Hyang, who was working at the research institute, quickly organized his documents after hearing the rumors.

“It would be a shame to just watch this happen. I must take this opportunity to eradicate the practice of bribery!”

The Office of the Censorate and the Office of the Inspector-General were as lively as fish in water.

According to the report sent by the Haengdae Gamchal (行臺監察, inspectors dispatched by the Office of the Censorate to each province) dispatched to Hamgil Province, a total of 132 slaves were offered as bribes to 19 former and current high-ranking officials.

And the one who received the most was Jo Malsaeng, with 36 slaves.

The Chief Censor, Gwon Do, who submitted the list to Sejong, argued as follows.

“Even if we only count the slaves among the bribes received by Jo Malsaeng, it amounts to 780 kwan [unit of currency]. According to the law, we can turn a blind eye up to 40 kwan, but if it exceeds 80 kwan, he should be sentenced to death!”

“Is that so?”

“Although he is a renowned minister who was greatly trusted by the late King, if we forgive such a person, who will follow the law?”

“Haa~.”

As Sejong hesitated, the Chief Censor and the Chief of the Inspector-General prostrated themselves simultaneously and raised their voices.

“Please consider!”

“He must be sentenced to death! Please consider!”

As the Chief Censor and the Chief of the Inspector-General raised their voices and insisted on the death penalty, Sejong looked at the Minister of War with resentful eyes.

Looking at Jo Malsaeng’s back, who was prostrating and trembling, Sejong was lost in thought.

He was a minister who had been recognized for his abilities and had risen to prominence since the reign of the late King.

And Jo Malsaeng was one of those who followed his reform policies well and offered good opinions.

It would be right to impose the death penalty according to the law, but the problem was that receiving bribes was commonplace among officials.

If he punished all the officials who had received bribes according to the law, only those with little experience, who only knew how to carry out orders, would remain in the court.

‘I want to get rid of them all, as the Crown Prince said, but the situation is…’

“Father, may I offer my thoughts?”

As Hyang, who had read Sejong’s expression, opened his mouth, Sejong replied as if he had been waiting for it.

“You may.”

“The punishment of those who received bribes is urgent, but restoring the rights of those who were harmed by unjust lawsuits is also urgent. How about dealing with this first?”

“That’s right! Immediately send people to restore the rights and property of the descendants of Kim Saeng, who were harmed by false lawsuits!”

“I obey your command!”

“Also, Kim Do-yeon, who committed such a serious crime, must be punished.

Kim Do-yeon’s crimes are not just one or two.

Firstly, he filed a false lawsuit for his own greed, so that is one crime.

Secondly, he forged documents claiming that commoners were slaves, thereby disrupting the country’s public affairs, so that is another crime.

Thirdly, he spread bribes to achieve his goals, so that is another crime.

Fourthly, he intentionally harmed his grandfather’s friend for his own greed. This is an act of filial impiety that tarnishes his grandfather’s name, so that is another crime.

Fifthly, he deceived commoners into being slaves and committed the crime of deceiving the King by blinding Your Majesty, so that is another crime.

Even if we only combine the crimes of filial impiety and deceiving the King among these crimes, it is a capital crime that can be punished by death according to the law.

Therefore, the criminal Kim Do-yeon should be executed, all his family members should be made slaves, and all his assets should be confiscated.

Among the confiscated assets, those belonging to the victims should be returned to the victims, and those who purchased land that belonged to the victims should be reimbursed for the amount they paid at the time of purchase, and the land should be recovered and returned to the victims. And if there are any remaining assets, they should be put into the national treasury.”

At Hyang’s suggestion, Sejong clapped his knees and was overjoyed.

“The Crown Prince’s opinion is truly correct! What do you think, gentlemen!”

At Sejong’s question, the officials all answered in unison.

“We believe it is a truly good plan!”

When the officials answered in unison, the Chief Censor and the Chief of the Inspector-General objected.

“The plan for restoring the rights of the victims and punishing the criminals is a truly good plan. However, the punishment of those who received bribes, including Jo Malsaeng, is also urgent!”

“Please consider!”

“I will consider that part a little more.”

“Please consider!”

“I said I’ll consider it! Let’s stop here for today!”

Although Sejong said he would consider it, the Office of the Censorate and the Office of the Inspector-General did not slow down their momentum.

From the next day, the censors of the Office of the Inspector-General and the Office of the Censorate spread straw mats in the courtyard in front of the Geunjeongjeon Hall [main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace] and began a sit-in.

“Jo Malsaeng and the corrupt officials must be executed!”

“Please consider!”

“Please consider!”

“Haa~.”

Sejong, who was sighing deeply at the cries coming from the courtyard in front of the Geunjeongjeon Hall, rose from his seat.

“Let’s take a break for a while.”

Sejong, who declared a recess, headed to the Donggung Palace [Crown Prince’s residence].

“Is the Crown Prince there?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve stayed at the Donggung Palace.”

After confirming from the Donggung Palace eunuch that Hyang was staying there, Sejong ordered the historians who were following him.

“Wait here.”

“However, Your Majesty.”

“This is a private conversation between father and son. Do not cross the line.”

At Sejong’s command, which was beyond firm and even felt angry, the historians had to step back.

‘Definitely! Someday!’

The historians were burning with determination as they recalled the legendary anecdotes of their senior historians.

“Welcome, Your Majesty.”

“Yes.”

Hyang, who had offered the seat of honor, sat down on the chair next to Sejong as he sat down on the chair and opened his mouth.

“You seem to have great concerns.”

At Hyang’s question, Sejong nodded.

“You saw it right. I want to get rid of them all. There are no useful successors, and if I make a mistake, I can be criticized for committing the impiety of mistreating the ministers raised by the late King. Haa~.”

Hyang nodded slightly at Sejong’s sigh.

As Joseon’s national policy was Confucianism, the shadow of the late King could not be easily removed from personnel matters.

In particular, many of the ministers who were currently in trouble were related to the royal family.

Hyang, who was watching Sejong’s troubled appearance, suggested his opinion.

“Wouldn’t it be okay if you didn’t kill them and didn’t implicate their families?”

“Huh? How?”

Hyang whispered to Sejong. Sejong clapped his knees after listening to Hyang’s words for a long time.

“There was such a way!”

* * *

At the words ‘The King has returned,’ the officials returned to the Pyeonjeon Hall [main office] and took their seats. Sejong, who was sitting on the throne above the Dangjip [raised platform], looked at the officials and opened his mouth.

“I have been thinking about it, and the crimes of the criminals, including Jo Malsaeng, are by no means light. According to the law, it is right to impose the death penalty, but…”

“You must impose the death penalty! Please consider!”

“Please consider!”

The Chief Censor and the Chief of the Inspector-General stepped forward, insisting on strong punishment, the moment they heard the words ‘it is right to impose the death penalty, but…’

“How can a subject interrupt the King’s words! What country’s etiquette is that!”

The Chief Censor and the Chief of the Inspector-General, realizing their reality at Sejong’s rebuke, prostrated themselves.

“Please kill us!”

“Please kill us!”

“Shall I really do that?”

Sejong, who silenced the Chief Censor and the Chief of the Inspector-General, continued his words.

“It is right to impose the death penalty, but I will not kill them because they were greatly trusted by the late King.

However, their crimes are not light, so I will punish them as follows.

First, all official positions, titles, meritorious subject certificates, land, and property that were bestowed upon the criminals will be confiscated.

However, the items subject to confiscation only apply to the criminal’s own property.

The property distributed to the wife and children will not be touched for the past 5 years.

In addition, the criminals will be ordered to serve as commoners in white [stripped of their official status]. The criminals will be assigned to the Six Ministries and sentenced to document sorting.”

“Hiccup!”

The Chief State Councillor was surprised and hiccuped as soon as the word ‘document sorting’ came out.

Document sorting was a source of fear for the officials of the court.

Although it was said to be documents from after the founding of the country, the amount of documents connected to the end of the previous dynasty was not small.

Jo Malsaeng slumped powerlessly at Sejong’s judgment.

Sejong’s command continued over his head.

“I also order the other ministers. I will give you a period of one month from now. Those who have received bribes exceeding the standards set by law must immediately return them to the state. Those who are discovered after one month will be subject to confiscation of their assets as well as document sorting!”

“I obey your command!”

* * *

When the meeting in the Pyeonjeon Hall ended and the officials flocked out, the inspectors who were staging a protest flocked to the Chief Censor and the Chief of the Inspector-General.

“How did it go?”

At the inspectors’ question, the Chief Censor and the Chief of the Inspector-General looked at where Jo Malsaeng was.

Jo Malsaeng, whose face looked as if he had aged 10 years in the meantime, was coming out of the Pyeonjeon Hall with the support of those around him.

Seeing this, the Chief Censor opened his mouth.

“It would have been better to die.”