Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 101
Episode 101 Hwang Hee, in crisis! (2)
Sejong, who was sitting on the throne, had a dignified spirit radiating from him.
The tribal leaders, overwhelmed by the momentum, knelt down and showed respect as soon as they saw King Sejong.
Sejong, who saw the tribal leaders paying homage to him, gave an order in Jurchen language.
“Stand up.”
The tribal leaders stood up with surprised faces at King Sejong’s proficiency in the Jurchen language.
‘The king of Joseon was born and raised in Joseon! But the Jurchen language is so familiar!’
King Sejong continued to speak, perhaps knowing the feelings of the tribal leaders.
“It’s been a long time since Gwain took over the throne, but due to various reasons, I haven’t been able to meet you all. “You were faithful to Gwain’s grandfather, King Taejo, and this is because of Gwain’s vices… That’s why I called you this.”
“I am devastated!”
“I have prepared a place at Bukpyeong Hall, so I will relax today and meet you tomorrow.”
“I follow your orders!”
The tribal leaders bowed again. After King Sejong, who had received the courtesy, disappeared inside, the tribal leaders left Gwanghwamun and headed to Bukpyeong-gwan, guided by an interpreter and Naegeumwi.
After unpacking their belongings at Bukpyeong Hall, the tribal leaders immediately gathered at the banquet hall.
Drinks and food were prepared for the tribal leaders, and courtesans entertained them by performing songs and dances, but the faces of the tribal leaders were more serious than ever.
“Could you please leave the courtesans?”
“We have something to talk about.”
The courtesans requested by the tribal leaders left the banquet hall. When they were the only ones left, the tribal leaders let out a long sigh.
“Whoa~. That family…”
“I thought our ties with that family ended after the eldest passed away…”
“But wouldn’t it be a good thing for us? “Have we ever been as peaceful as when you corrected us?”
Old tribal leaders who had memories of seeing or living under Lee Seong-gye spoke with feelings of half concern and half anticipation.
On the other hand, the young chieftains who did not know Lee Seong-gye talked with faces full of worry.
“Why do you think the king of Joseon called you?”
“Isn’t he at least a nobleman (come and obey on his own accord)?”
“Is there a name?”
“Do these idiots even care about us? “Us on the eastern end?”
“And there is another reason. What was the place where our tribe originally settled? Those old noblemen call him a great old man, and even now, Jeoljeolmae is an area ruled by Lee Seong-gye. “Maybe Myeong-guk can’t say anything?”
“Is this… a choice between surrendering to Joseon or leaving?”
In response to the young tribal leader’s complaints, another tribal leader next to him added.
“There is another choice. “To be exterminated.”
As soon as the word ‘annihilation’ was said, the faces of the tribal leaders turned black.
“Oh my…”
“I don’t even want to think about that.”
* * *
The next day, a feast was held at Gyeonghoeru.
As well as the Jurchen tribal leaders who were invited to the banquet. King Sejong, incense, and major and small deities were all in place.
“It is truly a pleasure to meet these people who had a relationship with Gwain’s grandfather! “It is truly regrettable and shameful that we, Joseon, have been neglecting you all this time due to the poor situation.”
Hatui, the oldest among the tribal leaders, received King Sejong’s words as a representative.
“No! Even though so many years have passed, I am truly grateful that you still remember me and call me!”
“I’m sorry!”
When all the tribal leaders expressed their gratitude, King Sejong smiled.
“is it? Since so many years have passed, you didn’t think we were strangers, right?”
Hearing King Sejong’s words, Hatui quickly waved his hand.
“This is absolutely unfair!”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right!”
“Hmm…”
Despite Hatui’s answer, King Sejong looked at the tribal leaders in silence.
The tribal leaders looked at the dry needles and looked around. Sejong was sitting at the head of the table, and a boy who appeared to be the crown prince was sitting next to him. And the guards were on tight guard around them and their subjects.
“I will believe what you say. “I really hope that that feeling continues.”
“I will!”
The tribal leaders answered in unison.
Sejong, who had subdued Kiseon, began to calm down and comfort her.
“The reason I invited you this time is to apologize for treating you poorly. “It’s a bit shabby to say it’s a reward, but I’ve prepared something for you, so pick it up on your way back.”
“What comes?”
Hwang Hee came forward and answered Hatui’s question.
“Salt. Depending on the size of the tribe, we will distribute between ten and five fifty.”
“I am devastated!”
“I am devastated!”
At Hwang Hee’s words, the tribal leaders bowed politely to King Sejong and expressed their gratitude.
Salt was very essential for them, who lived a semi-rural, semi-herd life. Ironically, although there was a sea nearby, there were no salt artisans.
King Sejong, who had softened the mood among the tribal leaders with a gift of salt, immediately began striking them down.
“Already 30 years have passed since the founding of our Joseon Dynasty. However, the land where our royal family swore and where King Taejo rode his horse is not yet our territory. What do you think about this?”
“yes?”
Hatui couldn’t immediately think of an answer to King Sejong’s words, so he asked briefly.
“The land you are in is where King Taejo began his actions with great intentions. But it is not our Joseon stronghold now. “You asked what to do with this?”
‘come!’
‘shit!’
The tribal leaders narrowed their eyes at Sejong’s question. They said they were asking for an answer, but the meaning was exactly the opposite.
‘We, Joseon, will eat that land! What are you guys going to do?’
“Why is there no answer?”
Hatui stammered in response to King Sejong’s question.
“That was something I had never thought about….”
“Are you saying that King Taejo stayed in the land he had built and didn’t think anything about the original owner of the land? Huh~. “What should I think this means?”
“That…”
Under Sejong’s pressure, Hatui was sweating and struggling. Seeing this, Mutui, who belongs to the younger generation, asked a question.
“Your Majesty, it seems you have already made up your mind. What do you want us to do?”
King Sejong gave a short answer to Mutui’s question.
“Simple. Join us or leave. I won’t stop you from leaving. “But if you can’t join us, you will regret it as you keenly feel the power of our Joseon army.”
“What good do we have if we join together? Your Majesty has a lot of people under his control, and he cares about the well-being of those people. The same goes for our tribal leaders. Even though the number is small compared to Joseon, there are tribe members who rule and you have to take care to ensure that the tribe members are doing well.”
Sejong nodded at Mutui’s words.
“That’s not the truth. If you enter our country, you will be treated the same as the people of our country. However, there is a prerequisite. If you follow the laws and systems of our Joseon Dynasty and the customs of our Joseon Dynasty, the government and government will treat you without discrimination. “As time passes and your son or grandson grows up, he may become an official of Joseon.”
“Are you promising?”
“There is no falsehood in what the king says.”
Mutui kept his mouth shut in response to Sejong’s answer. After thinking for a while, Mutui answered.
“I need some time to think.”
“What about the others?”
“It takes time.”
In response to the tribal leaders’ request for time, the scent opened its mouth.
“Abama soja, can I give them some advice for a moment?”
“It’s okay.”
King Sejong granted the request for incense and introduced it to the tribal leaders.
“He is the eldest son of Gwain. This is the child who will lead Joseon after me. “Listen carefully to the advice this child gives you.”
“yes.”
Hyang stood up, receiving all the attention of the tribal leaders, and opened his mouth with a small smile.
“I am the Crown Prince of Joseon. “Nice to meet you all.”
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Thank you. What I want to say from now on is to explain why it would be beneficial for the tribes here to join our Joseon Dynasty.
The biggest thing that is causing you concern right now is probably the issue of Hangsan. “Isn’t that right?”
“That’s right.”
Mutui immediately answered Hyang’s question. Hyang continued speaking with his eyes fixed on Mutui.
“If we work together with Joseon, this port problem will be solved. Now, Joseon is growing its power through trade with many countries. Growing this size means you need people to work in various areas. “In our Joseon Dynasty, it is stipulated in national law that compensation must be paid to those who work even if they are merely slaves, so won’t the problem of Hangsan be resolved?”
“But most of us only know how to ride horses and herd sheep.”
“As far as I know, I heard that you are good at driving a boat, right? “I am well aware of the notoriety of the Yeojin pirates.”
“….”
Mutui closed his mouth at Hyang’s point. Hyang continued.
“As Joseon grows in size, more people come looking for it. That’s what you’re looking for, and that includes meat. Isn’t ranching your specialty? If you come to Korea and join us, you will not have to worry about starvation. “Please think about this carefully.”
After finishing speaking, Hyang sat down and Sejong looked at the tribal leaders.
After a long silence, Mutui opened his mouth with difficulty.
“Please give me a little more time.”
“I hope to have an answer before you guys leave.”
* * *
After the banquet, King Sejong returned to Pyeonjeon and gave orders to his ministers.
“Regardless of their success or failure, let the operation begin this winter according to plan. “Because we have to cross the Duman River when it is frozen.”
“I follow your orders!”
“And has the selection of envoys to be sent to the Ming been completed?”
Ijik immediately answered Sejong’s question.
“The Chief Justice and the Presiding Judge will go in person.”
“Two people?”
King Sejong, who was looking at Maeng Sa-seong and the royal court records, nodded.
“It’s okay. And has the selection of the special administrator in charge of the administration of the area to be developed this time been completed?”
“Thank the Emperor, not yet….”
King Sejong clicked his tongue at Yeonguijeong’s answer.
“Tsk! still? “Isn’t there anyone who wants to go that way?”
“Here comes the Emperor.”
“Finish the selection as quickly as possible.”
“I follow your orders.”
There was something that Lee Jik, who bowed his head, did not say until the end.
It’s not that there weren’t people who wanted to go, there were just too many.
* * *
It was the responsibility of the Pyeongan Province Governor to govern the western region of the Odori tribe and form an administrative organization, but a special administrative officer was appointed to the Hamgil Island area due to the special characteristics of the region.
“There may be some who obey obediently, but there will also be quite a few who rebel!”
“Considering the area and population of the pioneer area, it is difficult for Hamgil Island to hold the concurrent position of governor! “We need a full-time administrator!”
According to the proposal of the military and the government, King Sejong ordered Uijeongbu to appoint an administrative officer who would work together with the special administrative officer.
As soon as King Sejong’s order was issued, a huge number of requests poured in from the officials of Uijeongbu.
“Please let me go!”
“No, please let me go!”
“I’ll show you what Bungolsashin is!”
“Me! Me!”
Not only the officials of Article 6 but also the officials of the Saheonbu and Saganwon submitted self-introductions filled with self-praise. Those who applied all had the same thoughts.
“Once you go, you may be able to hold out until the palace is roughly finished!”
“This is your chance to legally escape mediation!”
No, it wasn’t just a self-introduction.
Huge gifts poured into the homes of nobles.
“What good is happening to you, West? “Suddenly gifts come in?”
The monks who returned home from retirement were shocked when they saw the mountain of gifts.
“No, these bastards! Is there anything I can do to get someone to organize documents? ma’am! “Send them all back!”
“yes? “These precious things?”
“Don’t you know what happened to Captain Cho? “Are you going to make our house a beggar?”
“Egg money! “I’ll send it back right away!”
The situation was also desperate for the monks who returned the gifts.
‘The competition is too strong! No matter who you pick, there will always be someone who is dissatisfied! ‘You have to block it from the beginning!’