Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 862

862. Their Ambitions (13)

Wan continued to read Hyang’s letter.

-The mention of matching the dimensions of the parts means that proper performance can only be achieved if they are made according to those dimensions.

-European steelmaking technology is still far behind the Empire’s. Parts made with their own steel, according to the dimensions, will not perform properly.

-Therefore, even if Florence produces them independently, they will have to purchase parts from our Empire.

-Of course, Florence will be dissatisfied with this and will try to find alternatives.

-There are two alternatives they can choose.

Either improve the quality of the steel used to make the parts, or change the dimensions of the parts to match the performance of the steel they can produce or obtain.

-Both options require many trials and errors. This means a lot of time and capital will be invested.

-And our Empire can use that time to move ahead and prepare for any potential involvement in the war.

When Wan had read this far, Im Sun-wook clearly looked like he wanted to say something.

Wan glanced at Im Sun-wook’s expression and continued reading the next part of the letter.

-Among the ministers, there may be those who oppose this plan.

-The reason for their opposition is probably this.

Europe is already making great efforts to catch up with the Empire’s technology. Greatly stimulated by this event, they will work even harder, and the time it takes to catch up with the Empire will be reduced even faster.

-To counter this argument, there will be more than a few who are preparing for war while watching the situation in Italy.

Since ancient times, war has greatly advanced technology. Bronze swords were replaced by iron swords, and gunpowder weapons also gradually developed.

-While preparing for war, Europe has already picked up speed. They must have planted numerous spies in our Empire as well as in rival countries.

-If the blueprints for the Florentine musket are handed over to Florence, they will surely spread everywhere before long.

-If that happens, they will not follow the path our Empire has taken directly, but will take a slight detour.

-If that happens, our Empire will be able to buy a little more time. Of course, gaining some wealth is a bonus.

“That’s all…”

Whether it was Wan, who put down Hyang’s letter, or the ministers who had heard its contents, everyone’s face was filled with dismay.

At first, they were full of admiration, but as time passed, dismay filled that place.

“He leaves us with nothing to refute…”

At Wan’s murmur, everyone in the grand hall nodded simultaneously.

“We are doomed if we don’t know, and we can’t help but be doomed even if we do know…. He leaves us speechless.”

Kim Jong-seo, who had been nodding at Hwangbo-in’s words, took over the conversation.

“He is worthy of the saying, ‘Sees a thousand miles while sitting down’ [a Chinese idiom for having great foresight]. To know the situation so accurately with only the small pieces of information sent from here, and to come up with a fitting answer is a bonus…”

At Kim Jong-seo’s words, Wan had to forcibly suppress the urge to speak.

* * *

While the ministers could only receive information from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees dispatched to Europe, Wan and Hyang were also receiving information from Milwi.

The speed, quantity, and quality of information from Milwi were far superior, so Wan and Hyang knew the external situation better than the ministers.

‘No. Considering where His Majesty is…’

Even if Milwi delivered information faster than the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hyang in Shinji had no choice but to receive information much later than Wan.

This was because they had to rely on regular transport ships traveling between Shinji and the mainland. If they sent something separately without a valid reason, the ministers would surely notice Milwi’s existence.

Since the secret surveillance of ministers and key generals was also Milwi’s mission, it was not good for Milwi’s existence to be revealed.

* * *

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Wan’s light cough allowed the ministers to escape from their thoughts.

Seeing the ministers who had regained their senses and were looking at him, Wan opened his mouth.

“What do you think of the alternative His Majesty has sent? I think it’s a pretty good plan.”

At Wan’s words, the ministers all looked at Im Sun-wook. Im Sun-wook, who had received everyone’s attention, carefully opened his mouth.

“The alternative His Majesty has sent is certainly a very good plan. However, I believe we should examine the Florentine musket more thoroughly.”

Shin Suk-ju stepped forward in response to Im Sun-wook’s answer.

“Are you daring to criticize the plan His Majesty has created?”

Im Sun-wook immediately retorted to Shin Suk-ju’s criticism.

“I agree that the plan His Majesty has sent is excellent. However, it may only seem excellent to us. Let’s take a simple example of food. It may be seasoned just right for my taste, but it may be too salty or bland for others. Shouldn’t we check this and add water or more salt for others to eat? His Majesty believes that Florence can make the Florentine musket with that level of technology, but what if they actually can’t even make that much?”

“…”

Shin Suk-ju closed his mouth at Im Sun-wook’s question. Wan, who was watching the scene from the top of the hall, made a decision.

“The Minister of Finance is right. The Ministry of National Defense should take the Florentine musket and carefully examine its strengths and weaknesses and report them to me.”

“I will obey your command.”

“And the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

Wan, who had given orders to the Minister of National Defense, called out to Shin Suk-ju.

“Tell me your command.”

“His Majesty clearly said ‘advice’ and ‘recommends’ that we adopt it if we think it’s okay. This means that I and the ministers should carefully review it again and decide whether to approve it or not. But ‘daringly’… then does that mean I have to follow it unconditionally too?”

Wan’s voice was low and even. However, as the words continued, the air in the grand hall gradually turned cold. At the same time, Shin Suk-ju’s face gradually turned pale.

As soon as Wan finished speaking, Shin Suk-ju immediately prostrated himself on the floor and bowed his head.

“My thoughts were short-sighted! Please forgive me!”

“It is not good for a minister of a country to show a short-sighted appearance. The minister should keep the word ‘deliberation’ in mind.”

“I will keep it in mind again and again!”

Wan turned to the other ministers and continued speaking.

“The same goes for all of you. Always remember the word ‘deliberation’.”

“We will keep it in mind!”

The ministers, who answered in one voice, all glared at Shin Suk-ju.

‘He always causes trouble! Trouble!’

‘He tried to look good for no reason and ended up being disliked… tsk tsk tsk….’

‘It will end with the minister’s position… he was quite ambitious….’

‘Should I send him a lot of restorative medicine!’

Although the atmosphere turned icy at the last minute, the meeting ended smoothly. As they left the grand hall, the ministers all glanced at Shin Suk-ju. Shin Suk-ju, still with a pale face, staggered as he moved. A group of officials, at a slight distance from Shin Suk-ju, were looking at him with serious faces. They were officials who had been maintaining ties with Shin Suk-ju in one way or another.

Meanwhile, Wan moved to his bedchamber with Crown Prince Hyun and had a conversation.

“His Majesty is a great blessing that the heavens have bestowed upon our Empire. The Crown Prince must carefully observe His Majesty’s actions and prepare for your reign.”

“Yes. Your Majesty. And….”

After pausing for a moment, Hyun looked at the historians and scribes in the bedchamber and asked Wan.

“Your Majesty. I am sorry to be rude, but please dismiss the historians and scribes.”

“Hmm… Historians and scribes, please step out for a moment.”

As the historians and scribes went outside, Hyun carefully asked Wan.

“Your Majesty. Will you just leave Shin Suk-ju alone?”

At Hyun’s question, Wan stroked his chin and wore a troubled expression.

“Hmm… Looking at his abilities alone, he is a very capable person, but….”

“Didn’t Your Majesty say something to me?”

“I said to you? What was it….”

“The criteria for evaluating incompetence and competence. You said that the criteria for the people and the Emperor should be different, didn’t you?”

“Ah, that?”

Wan looked like he had finally remembered.

‘This teaching was also taught by His Majesty.’

* * *

When Wan was receiving Crown Prince lessons, Hyang had said this to Wan.

“Personally, it is good to associate with good people, kind people, and people with integrity. However, when employing people, you cannot only look at their character. You must lay the foundation of a person’s character and then check the following.”

Hyang then said the following:

-If the people say ‘incompetent,’ then they are incompetent to the monarch as well. You must not appoint them.

-If the people say ‘mediocre’ or ‘so-so,’ then the monarch should think, ‘I can replace them at any time.’

-If they hear the words ‘competent’ among the people, the monarch can trust and use them for a long time.

-If they hear the words ‘very competent’ among the people, the monarch should use them but never take their eyes off them. Those who are ‘very competent’ know that they are competent themselves. Therefore, they may act recklessly, trusting only in their abilities, and ruin things. In this case, it can lead to even worse results than employing an incompetent person.

– Therefore, it is better for a monarch to employ competent people than very competent people.

Hyang, who had been explaining up to this point, suddenly smiled and gave another example.

“The same goes for courtesans. It’s better to avoid courtesans who are too pretty. Those courtesans know they are pretty too well, so they are arrogant. You might go to enjoy the arts in a good mood, but end up ruining your mood instead. It’s better to avoid them.”

“Yes? Yes. Ah! I see!”

* * *

“Hmm… Shin Suk-ju is definitely a ‘very competent person’.”

At Wan’s words, Hyun put more strength into his voice.

“It’s not just the incident that happened today that’s the problem. There have been several reports of incidents where he narrowly crossed the line.”

“I know.”

Milwi quietly and persistently monitored high-ranking officials and commanders. And they reported the results to Wan and Hyun.

According to Milwi’s report, people were gradually gathering around Shin Suk-ju.

There were no illegal activities such as bribery or personnel irregularities yet, so Wan was just watching the situation.

“Not yet. It’s hard to find someone as capable as Shin Suk-ju. I am quietly looking for people who are a little less capable than Shin Suk-ju but have sufficient experience, so the Crown Prince should worry less.”

Hyun, who had been bowing his head at Wan’s answer, suddenly asked Wan as if he had remembered something.

“Your Majesty. Then what do you think of Han Myung-hoi? Isn’t he also a very competent person?”

“That’s right. He is very competent and has a lot of ambition. It is a well-known fact that he is aiming for the position of Prime Minister.”

“Then shouldn’t we do something about him too?”

At Hyun’s concern, Wan smiled slightly and shook his head.

“No, we can rest assured with Han Myung-hoi. He is as careful as he is capable and ambitious. He knows too well what he can and cannot do, what he can do and what he must never do. That’s why we can rest assured.”

“Ah….”

Hyun nodded at Wan’s words.

Han Myung-hoi’s behavior was partly due to his own nature, but Hyang also played a role.

This was because Hyang was the first to grasp his inner thoughts when he first came forward to reveal himself.

-It was a very good opportunity, wasn’t it?

Since that day, Han Myung-hoi had never been able to harbor any other thoughts towards Hyang and Wan.