Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 973

973. A Tree with Too Many Branches… (2)

Hyang, momentarily stunned by the unexpected turn of events, quickly regained his composure and asked Hyun,

“What are the court officials saying?”

“They found no fault with the memorial’s content, agreeing that it was only natural. Of course, they added the word ‘for now…'”

“‘For now’… Hmm… Then what did the Emperor say? He must be aware of this, right?”

“The Emperor also said, ‘For now, it’s not wrong.'”

At Hyun’s response, Hyang nodded and muttered,

“‘For now’ again…”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…”

Hyang groaned softly, lost in thought.

‘Their memorial isn’t wrong. The Empire isn’t a single-ethnic nation anymore. The problem is the exclusive mindset of the natives. If we start tracing back the roots, it leads to the Three Kingdoms period [referring to the ancient kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla].’

One of the typical characteristics of an agrarian society was its ‘exclusivity’ towards outsiders. And those living on the Korean Peninsula, often called ‘natives,’ were particularly strong in that exclusivity.

“It looks easy, but it’s definitely not an easy problem.”

“Indeed.”

The two Joseons [referring to Hyang and Hyun, likely due to their connection to the Joseon dynasty] wore troubled expressions and fell silent.

-In reality, it’s right to accept their memorial and reorganize the system. That’s the only way the Empire can function stably without friction.

-But we can’t ignore the backlash from the natives, who are the strongest foundation supporting the Imperial Family.

“Hmm… Hmm…”

Continually groaning and pondering, Hyang turned his head, feeling frustrated, and looked around.

‘Oh? There’s a lot of dust over there? I should tell them to clean it…’

Trying to escape reality by thinking about other things, Hyang’s gaze fixed on the Supreme Law Code on the bookshelf.

“Rule of law…”

“Yes?”

Hyang looked at Hyun with a brightened expression.

“The Empire operates the country and governs the people based on the rule of law.”

“That is correct, but?”

“What does the most fundamental of all laws, the Supreme Law Code, say? It states that all citizens of the Empire are equal before the law and must abide by the law.”

“Are you saying…?”

Hyun pondered Hyang’s words and continued,

“Certainly, the law does not stipulate that the Crown Princess’s qualifications are limited to those from the mainland. According to the law, not only Bukji and Daeseoldo, but also Shinji, Seonamdo, and Temasek can nominate candidates for Crown Princess. The problem is the public sentiment of the mainlanders, isn’t it?”

Hyun replied with a slightly resentful tone. What Hyang had just said was already being discussed among the court officials.

-Legally, there’s no problem. But the problem is the public sentiment of the mainland.

That’s why Hyun came to Hyang, only to receive the same answer, which disappointed him.

‘I thought Grandfather would give me a definite answer…’

Whether he knew of Hyun’s disappointment or not, Hyang continued,

“It seems the Emperor has forgotten, but what was their memorial about? It was about allowing them to nominate candidates for Crown Princess, not demanding that they must become the Crown Princess, right?”

“Huh? Oh? Ah!”

Hyun’s face brightened as he tilted his head at Hyang’s remark. Seeing Hyun’s brightening face, Hyang continued to explain.

-Since everyone is a citizen of the same Empire, there’s no problem in nominating candidates for Crown Princess.

-And what’s wrong with a Crown Princess from a foreign land instead of the mainland? If they are nominated as candidates for Crown Princess, they must have no issues with their appearance, speech, writing, and judgment, and wouldn’t the Crown Prince, who will be their husband, have chosen them because they pleased him?

-If they still express dissatisfaction, they should blame themselves for not raising a lady fit to be the Crown Princess.

Hyun nodded repeatedly at Hyang’s explanation up to this point.

“That’s right! You’re absolutely right! What you say is truly correct!”

“And order the General Affairs Department to examine the records of marriages of the Empire’s citizens.”

“Records of marriages?”

“Yes. All the citizens of the Empire who have married and become husband and wife have their records in the registry, right? Examine those records and find out how many marriages have taken place between mainland citizens and citizens from other regions. If the number is large, you can question those who oppose this decision, calling it ‘hypocrisy.'”

Hyang smiled wryly after saying this.

“You get married as you please, but you argue about the Crown Prince’s marriage? Aren’t you truly old-fashioned? Let’s sort this out while we’re at it.”

Hyun nodded at Hyang’s words and responded,

“Sorting it out… It seems like a good opportunity.”

The historian and scribe, who were recording this from the side, added the following:

-…..Thus, His Majesty the Emperor and the Supreme Emperor found the answer, and it was a good sight to behold.

The historian argues. Why is the story suddenly going in that direction?

* * *

Hyun, having returned from Sugang Palace, immediately summoned the ministers. When the ministers were all gathered in Geunjeong Hall, Hyun opened his mouth.

“I have gathered you all because of the Crown Princess issue.”

As Hyun stated the topic, Han Myung-hoi stepped forward.

“We have discussed this issue, and we believe it is appropriate to accept the memorial.”

“Huh? Why?”

Hyun asked, expressing surprise at Han Myung-hoi’s answer.

“The reason is…”

The explanation that followed from Han Myung-hoi was almost identical to Hyang’s words.

“…If there are those who object to this, they are harming the Empire’s unity with their backwardness and should be punished severely as an example to others.”

Seeing Han Myung-hoi even suggesting using this as a political opportunity, Hyun was inwardly impressed.

‘Indeed! Indeed! Seeing him sort things out as soon as he returns, he truly is Han Myung-hoi! There’s a reason why the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor cherish him but never let their guard down!’

Hyun, who was inwardly exclaiming, looked at the other ministers and asked,

“Do you all think the same way?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good. Let’s proceed as planned. Ah! Just in case, the Minister of General Affairs should investigate the registry.”

“Investigate the registry…?”

“Check how many marriages have taken place between men and women from the mainland and men and women from other regions. We cannot postpone the Crown Prince’s marriage, so I want to receive the report as soon as possible.”

“I shall obey your command.”

Looking at the Minister of General Affairs bowing his head in response, all the ministers had the same thought in their minds.

‘The General Affairs Department officials will have a hard time.’

“It will be a truly difficult task. Therefore, I shall order that the entire General Affairs Department be given a feast.”

“Your benevolence is boundless.”

* * *

Five days later, Hyun’s statement was posted in government offices throughout the mainland of the Empire, and fifteen days later, in Bukji and Daeseoldo.

-We will include those from Bukji and Daeseoldo as candidates for the Crown Princess. Recommend women suitable to be the Crown Princess, and even the Empress.

-In time, we will add other regions, including Shinji.

As soon as Hyun’s statement was posted, the mainland, Bukji, and Daeseoldo of the Empire were turned upside down. The elites of Bukji and Daeseoldo began to search every corner of their families and villages for suitable ladies to be the Crown Princess. In contrast, as expected, memorials raising issues with this began to pour in from the mainland.

-The roots of the Imperial Family are in the mainland! Therefore, it is only natural that the Crown Princess should be from the mainland!

As memorials filled with such content poured in, Hyun once again publicly issued a rebuttal.

-We do not deny that the roots of the Imperial Family are in the mainland!

-However, it is not appropriate to limit the Crown Princess to those from the mainland unconditionally.

Following this, Hyun mentioned how many marriages had taken place between those from the mainland and those from other regions and concluded his statement.

-People from different regions are living well as married couples, so why should the Imperial Family be any different!

-Choosing the Crown Princess is the Crown Prince’s prerogative. Arguing about this is crossing the line!

-This is an act that harms the unity of the Empire, so it is a serious crime equivalent to treason! We will not stand idly by!

As soon as the word ‘treason’ came out, the memorials that had been pouring in disappeared like snow in warm weather. However, Hyun and the court were finishing their selection and moving forward. Meanwhile, among the people who carefully read Hyun’s rebuttal, the older ones tilted their heads.

“The writing style is too familiar…”

“It’s too familiar…”

Those who tilted their heads at the familiarity felt in the writing style soon exclaimed and muttered.

“Ah! As expected, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…”

The writing style, which was simple, clear, and fiercely attacked the opponent, strongly resembled Hyang’s style.

* * *

As one problem was solved, another problem popped up.

“It’s always the budget that’s the problem…”

The practitioners [government officials] put their hands on their foreheads after seeing the amount of budget required. According to the procedures set by the Supreme Law Code, there were many things that required money.

-Travel expenses for the women selected as candidates for the Crown Princess to travel between Seoul and their hometowns.

-Construction or maintenance costs for temporary accommodations for the Crown Princess candidates.

-Expenses to support the Crown Princess candidates in clothing and food.

For the fairness of the selection, all candidates must wear the same clothes and accessories supported by the Imperial Family.

-Gifts for the ladies who were eliminated in the preliminary, secondary, and tertiary selections.

Since these were the candidates for the Crown Princess, they could never give cheap gifts. A considerable amount of money was spent when Wan and Hyun sought the Crown Princess, but this time, candidates were coming from as far as Bukji and Daeseoldo. The travel expenses were significant, but the clothes and accessories that the candidates would wear would also consume a considerable budget.

Since it was for the candidates of the Crown Princess, they could never use shabby or cheap items. Moreover, these clothes and accessories were disposable. This was because the candidates who were eliminated during the selection process took these clothes and accessories with them when they returned home.

Interestingly, the process of making these clothes and accessories was a fierce battle over the pride of the artisans.

-All candidates must wear the same clothes and accessories.

Because of this clause, clothes and accessories were mass-produced. In other words, if selected, artisans would make a lot of money. The money received from the Imperial Family was not everything. The reputation of satisfying the notoriously picky Imperial Family was the most powerful weapon to attract the upper class.

In addition, the ladies who were eliminated from the selection and returned home boasted about their clothes and accessories to their relatives and friends in their hometowns, and those who saw them became new customers. Therefore, when the announcement that the Crown Princess’s selection had begun was posted, renowned bedding makers, silversmiths, and shoemakers put their heart and soul into making prototypes.

And the more effort they put in, the higher the unit price, and the more budget had to be spent. However, they could not consider cost-effectiveness for the important event of choosing the Crown Princess. Therefore, the working-level staff of the Imperial Family and the Ministry of Finance could only sigh while tapping on their calculators.

* * *

Hyang, who was talking with Hyun about the Crown Princess selection issue causing a stir throughout the Empire, smiled slightly and gave a positive assessment.

“Still, isn’t it a good thing that the Empire is moving energetically? How heavy has the atmosphere been because of the Italian issue?”

“That’s right. In a way, the time it took from the Crown Prince’s investiture has been helpful.”

Hyun smiled mischievously at Hyun’s words and poked at Hyun’s sore spot.

“But thanks to that, the day His Majesty will hand over the throne and go to Shinji has been delayed a lot.”

“I wish you hadn’t said that…”

After spending such a pleasant time, Hyang, who was left alone, looked out the window and muttered.

“The Empress’s selection has become a national event, but how will it change in the future? A dating program? Or Miss International?”