Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 880

880. Generational Shift (11)

Wan established the framework, and the summarized contents of the bill, refined by the ministers, were as follows:

– The Emperor must diligently perform his duties for the empire and its people for 20 years, unless afflicted by illness.

– If, within the last 3 years of his reign, an event occurs that would significantly impact the empire’s stability in the long term, the reign shall be unconditionally extended by 5 years.

– The extension of the reign is not solely at the discretion of the Emperor but must be agreed upon by a majority of the court ministers. Alternatively, if a majority of the ministers request it, the extension of the reign shall be decided if a majority of the ministers request it.

– The extension of the reign cannot exceed 5 years, except in the case where the Crown Prince predeceases the Emperor. Even in this case, an additional 5 years cannot be exceeded.

– If a problem arises with the Director of Shinji [a high-ranking official overseeing a special region or project], a sibling (full or half) of the Director shall be selected to act as a proxy.

‘It’s too unfair if only I have to serve for 20, no, 25 years!’

It was a bill filled with Wan’s personal desires, but no ministers opposed it.

– It’s too unfair if some are working themselves to death without being able to resign, while others complete just 10 years and happily run away! We can’t stand to see that! Absolutely!

This was because the ministers were also full of their own desires.

* * *

When this bill passed, even junior officials grumbled among themselves.

“Those who are called ‘Lord’ complain that they can’t resign, but some who are barely called ‘Sir’ or ‘Elder’ retire as soon as they turn sixty… Shouldn’t the Lords also have a retirement age?”

“What if the Emperor and the ministers all retire on the same day?”

“….”

Looking at the replacement periods of the empire’s cabinet-level officials, most were replaced midway through the Emperor’s reign.

The ostensible reason was ‘retirement due to old age.’ However, it was a tradition, if not an official one, that resignations were only permitted when one was on the verge of death after applying for resignation numerous times.

This tradition was established due to ‘policy continuity.’

It was clear that long-term policies, planned for 10 or 20 years, would be unthinkable if most high-ranking officials were replaced at the same time as the Emperor changed.

Moreover, even if they had gained practical experience in Area 51 [a secretive research and development facility] and the research labs, an Emperor who had just ascended the throne would inevitably be clumsy in all aspects. To support such an Emperor and manage the empire, seasoned veterans were needed.

Of course, there was a significant possibility that these seasoned veterans would manipulate state affairs. However, even if he was clumsy, the Emperor had already gained practical experience, and the Emperor Emeritus, who had returned from Shinji, was behind him.

* * *

Meanwhile, the Emperor’s brothers, including Doo and Seul, smiled wryly at the last condition of the law.

“Brother is really vindictive.”

According to the ‘principle of primogeniture’ [the right of the firstborn son to inherit], Wan became the Crown Prince and then the Emperor, but Wan did not forget the brothers who had abandoned him and quickly fled elsewhere.

In particular, Wan harbored a deep resentment towards Doo and Seul, who were born on the same day and at the same time, like twins, though their mothers were different.

“So, they ran away just to save themselves? We’ll see!”

However, even before Wan could act, the officials fulfilled Wan’s grudge.

– They are the Emperor’s brothers! It would be foolish not to use them!

Contrary to Doo and Seul’s desire to work far away from Gyeongbok Palace [the main royal palace in Seoul], they were assigned to the budget department of the Six Ministries, located right next to Gyeongbok Palace.

Nevertheless, Wan’s vindictiveness was evident in the inclusion of the phrase ‘including full and half siblings.’

* * *

On the other hand, the officials’ reaction to the same clause was the opposite.

“Is there really a chance that something might happen to the Director in Shinji?”

This was because Sejong, Hyang, and Wan had all paid special attention to their health.

In Sejong’s case, it was the result of Hyang’s ‘making healthy pigs’ project.

And in the cases of Hyang and Wan, it was due to their dedication to their hobbies.

“Only when I retire as Emperor Emeritus can I do what I want comfortably! I have to hold on until then!”

However, Shinji was not an easy place. Thanks to this, Hyang and Wan had to raise their goals.

“I have to hold on until I can play comfortably as the Grand Emperor!”

“I’ve endured 25 years so far! I need to endure another 20 years in Shinji before my time comes! Health is the most important thing!”

Dreaming of a ‘retirement dedicated to their hobbies,’ Hyang and Wan did their best to take care of their health.

And this was now passed on to Hyun, who would inherit the throne.

“I won’t be free until 40 years from now! I can’t die until then, no matter what! I won’t even tolerate being sickly!”

And this became a tradition passed down to the emperors of the empire.

– Want to live a peaceful retirement without being criticized, doing what you want? Then run! The sweat you shed today guarantees your peaceful retirement!

* * *

After these small incidents passed, Wan’s abdication and Hyun’s enthronement followed.

Hyang also returned to the mainland to attend Hyun’s enthronement ceremony and to hand over the Shinji operations to Wan.

As the ship arrived at the dock and Hyang appeared, the waiting imperial military band began to play the ‘Imperial Army March.’

Hyang’s expression was subtle as he descended the gangplank, listening to the unfamiliar yet familiar music.

‘I feel like Darth Vader!’

As Hyang safely set foot on land, Wan, who had been waiting, greeted him warmly.

“Welcome back! I sincerely welcome you back!”

“You seem too happy?”

Hyang said with narrowed eyes, and Wan replied with a grin.

“Of course! Isn’t it a good day?”

“Have you grown a lot?”

“Hahaha! You flatter me!”

Seeing Wan’s relaxed demeanor, Hyang grumbled inwardly.

‘He’s really living it up. Really living it up….’

As they headed to the special train, Wan continued to ask Hyang questions.

Various questions and answers followed, including the latest information about Shinji, and Wan asked the last question.

“By the way, how is the situation at the airship research lab?”

Unlike when asking other questions, Wan’s face was serious.

Seeing Wan’s expression, Hyang shook his head.

Seeing the cargo unloaded from the ship being loaded onto the freight cars connected to the iron horse [a metaphor for a train], Wan asked Hyang.

“You have quite a lot of luggage.”

“Ah! It’s a gift for my grandson.”

“Is that so? There was nothing about it in the records, may I know what it is?”

At Wan’s question, Hyang replied with a playful face.

“It’s a secret.”

* * *

When Hyang arrived in Seoul, a banquet was held in Gyeongbok Palace to welcome Hyang’s return.

Initially, only members of the imperial family gathered, then high and low officials attended, and finally, a large banquet was held for national merit recipients, lasting for several days.

After the banquet that lasted for several days, the abdication ceremony and enthronement ceremony were held on an auspicious day carefully chosen, with Wan handing over the throne to Hyun.

The abdication and enthronement ceremonies, attended by all members of the imperial family, all officials, and envoys from various countries including Ming [a Chinese dynasty], Japan, Florence, France, Portugal, the Ottoman Empire, and India, ended successfully, and Hyun was crowned as the 3rd Emperor of the Empire.

“3rd? Isn’t it 4th?”

When European envoys raised questions, the interpreter explained the reason.

“The first person to open the empire was Emperor Won, and then the first Emperor, so it is correct to say the 3rd Emperor.”

“Ah….”

After the enthronement ceremony ended successfully, a banquet was held for the envoys.

The banquet held for the envoys was another venue for diplomacy. The envoys spoke with the attending imperial officials or envoys from other countries, conducting preliminary battles in preparation for future diplomatic negotiations.

In particular, Florence and France diligently negotiated, alternately meeting with envoys from the Empire, Portugal, and the Ottoman Empire.

They were on the same side regarding the Suez Canal, but the moment something happened in Italy, the relationship between France and Florence was bound to become strained.

Therefore, the envoys from France and Florence diligently met with the envoys from Portugal and the Ottoman Empire and the officials of the Empire, trying to win them over to their side.

In particular, the French envoy was desperate to bring Portugal and the Ottoman Empire to his side.

– The Empire has already joined hands with Florence! We can’t let Portugal and the Ottoman Empire go over there too!

However, despite the French envoy’s efforts, the reactions of the envoys from Portugal and the Ottoman Empire were similar.

“Both Florence and France are our valuable allies, so we cannot arbitrarily take sides. We can only hope that unfortunate events do not occur.”

* * *

As time passed after the enthronement ceremony and the envoys who visited the empire began to leave one by one, Hyang called Hyun and Wan to the Naegeumwi shooting range in Sugang Palace.

“I am grateful and sorry that you came here despite being busy with state affairs.”

At Hyang’s words, Hyun replied with a polite expression and voice.

“Not at all. How could I refuse when the Grand Emperor calls?”

“Thank you.”

Wan, alternating between Hyang’s pleased face and Hyun’s moved face, muttered inwardly.

‘The Grand Emperor must be a living legend to Hyun.’

That was the correct answer.

To Hyun, Hyang was a ‘legend.’ Most of the numerous things that made the current empire exist were revealed to the world through Hyang’s mind and hands.

And the challenge logs that still make scholars in Area 51 and the research labs dedicate their lives were also Hyang’s work.

Therefore, Hyun was honored just to be with that legend now.

“The reason I asked you to come here is that there are a few things I want to show the Emperor.”

“What is it?”

“First, it’s called ‘Sohwacha.'”

“Sohwacha?”

As Hyun and Wan expressed their doubts, Hyang gestured to the Naegeumwi soldier who was waiting.

At Hyang’s gesture, the waiting soldier removed the red cloth covering the desk.

“Huh?”

“The size….”

What was revealed was a gun slightly over half the size of a Byeongshik rifle [a standard rifle of the time].

“It has everything from the buttstock, but it’s not a rifle but a Hwacha [a Korean rocket launcher]? No, wait, if it’s a Hwacha… could it be?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you saying it’s capable of rapid fire?”

“That’s right. I’ll show you.”

Hyang, holding the Sohwacha, inserted the long magazine next to him below and pulled the charging handle.

Click!

As the charging was completed, Hyang aimed the Sohwacha at the target and pulled the trigger.

Tatatatang!

In an instant, dozens of bullets poured into the target, and Hyun and Wan couldn’t close their mouths.

After emptying two more magazines, Hyang took a breath with a relieved expression.

“Hoo~. It’s still thrilling!”

In the meantime, Hyun, who had come to his senses, asked Hyang.

“Is that why it’s called Sohwacha?”

“That’s right.”

At Hyang’s answer, Wan opened his mouth.

“I want to know the reason you made it.”

“It was because of the battle report that came up after conquering the Meshika tribe in the past.”

As soon as he heard Hyang’s answer, Wan’s expression changed strangely.

‘I don’t think so?’

At Wan’s expression, Hyang’s expression also changed strangely.

‘Believe me a little! Please!’

In the silent conversation between the two fathers and sons, Hyun was looking at the Sohwacha with a fascinated expression.