Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 108
Episode 108: Partnership (2)
The next day, at the assembly, when King Sejong announced that he would send incense to Ming, all the ministers, excluding the high-ranking monks, came forward to oppose it.
“Crown, please explain.”
“Yes Abama.”
In response to King Sejong’s order, Hyang repeated the explanation he gave to King Sejong and the officials yesterday.
“… So, as crown prince, I have to go to Ming.”
“Still, sending the country’s national treasure to another country is…”
When the newly appointed chief judge expressed his disapproval, King Sejong glared at him.
“Then we have to confront the emperor. Who should go? “Are you going to go?”
“….”
In response to King Sejong’s question, the sentencing judge remained silent.
A minister from a vassal state confronts the supreme ruler of a superior state?
Not only was there a difference in class that could not be overcome, but it was clear that if something went wrong, he would take full responsibility.
In the end, the sentencing judge had no choice but to keep quiet. Sejong, who saw that, clicked his tongue.
“Tsk! “You’d better just not say anything.”
“Here comes the Emperor.”
“Tsk!”
When Sejong clicked his tongue, the prosecutor closed his eyes tightly.
‘Other captains say that the sound they hate the most is clicking their tongue, and now I know why!’
As they were harassed by King Sejong, the judges and judges of the Six Dynasties came to hate the sound of tongue-clicking. However, it became routine for magistrates and magistrates to click their tongues when pointing out the mistakes of their subordinates.
“Well, then, since there doesn’t seem to be anyone who is opposed to appointing the crown prince as the official for this envoy, let’s proceed like this.”
“I follow your orders.”
“Crown, go back and look at your work.”
“I follow your orders.”
As the crown prince went out to fight, King Sejong looked back at his ministers with a proud face.
“I think it is truly a great blessing to have a talented child. Isn’t that right?”
“It is so!”
“The crown prince is so outstanding that he is the Red Bok of Joseon.”
“you’re right! This is indeed the Hongbok of Joseon!”
They were ministers who eagerly responded to King Sejong’s words.
The officer who recorded all of this added:
-… The ministers of the court all praised the crown prince’s excellence.
The officer discusses.
These days, it is said that the cries of children are constant in the homes of party officials and above.
In addition, the number of people entering the government through eumseo is decreasing.
I won’t say any more.
* * *
As the officer said, in the high official’s house, the yelling of adults and the cries of children were constant.
“The Crown Prince is already accumulating such achievements, so what are you doing!”
“I apologize! Soson, try harder….”
“It’s noisy! Roll up your calves!”
Children of the same age or younger age were criticized and criticized every day for their academic achievements.
The situation was equally bad for the adult children.
“Yes you bastard! Why is the evaluation written on the Seogyeong terminal like this? “You are tarnishing this father’s face!”
“I’m sorry!”
“If you feel comfortable wearing official uniform, you should work harder! “What have you done on a daily basis to be evaluated like this?”
“I’m sorry!”
“Starting tomorrow, you will join the academy earlier than others and leave later than others! What if you go in and out of the gibang? “I will file a complaint with the Chief Minister and have it smashed into the record office!”
“Father, please just do that!”
“Do you want to ruin our family like Captain Cho or Captain Hwang? I guess I should throw him in the record office right now! “Someone like Hwang’s brother from Gaechaban was here!”
“Oh my father!”
Those who had easily obtained government positions through eavesdropping on the backs of their father and family background were going through a difficult time.
Those who had passed the civil service examination and had achieved success in the past did not look kindly upon those who had entered the profession through illegal means.
In addition, the working environment changed harshly as the transition progressed, making it difficult for those who came in by parachute.
The most fatal thing was what Hwang Hee’s sons did not long ago.
King Sejong, who received a report that Hwang Hui’s sons had entered the ranks through illegal means and easily ascended to important positions, issued an order.
“Re-conduct the performance evaluation of those who entered the military service through false records!”
There were not many people who received good evaluations in the new work evaluation conducted by the Sa Constitution and the Saganwon.
And it was even more confusing because it was clear that this evaluation would have a negative impact on their father and family.
In the end, as the position of government slowly progressed, the children of those in power also advanced to government positions through the formal track through civil service exams rather than through secret records.
It was thought that it was safer to start at the bottom and climb the stairs step by step, rather than enter a mid-level executive position through a letter with little experience and receive a below-average evaluation.
* * *
After completing the selection of the envoys, Hyang departed from Jemulpo on a ship with the envoy of the Ming Dynasty.
Hyang, who was standing on the bow and looking out at the sea, had a conversation with the envoy.
“I heard that the security in Liaodong is not that good?”
In response to Hyang’s question, the messenger from Myeongguk nodded.
“That’s right. “In recent years, the Jurchen people have become more and more ferocious.”
As the Ming Dynasty envoy said, the mood among the Jurchen tribes in Jianzhou and the region was not good.
* * *
Some tribes of Hae-seo and Jian-ju, who had already submitted to the Ming and started a sedentary life rather than a nomadic life, were living a fairly good life, but other tribes were becoming increasingly poor.
The biggest reason why the situation changed this way was that Joseon opened an office in Shandong.
As Shandong was officially established and merchants came and went through maritime transportation routes, the smuggling trade that had continued in the Liaodong region disappeared.
This was a matter of survival for the Jurchen people in the area.
This was because the wealth earned by raiding smuggling merchants or escorting them was greater than expected.
In addition, economic poverty worsened as merchants from the Ming Dynasty moved to Masi (馬市), which was created to avoid conflict with Northern Yuan.
Eventually, the Jurchen people, reaching their limit, attacked other tribes, raided the Ming people’s villages, or crossed the Yalu River and attacked Joseon’s border villages.
However, the Ming people and the Jurchen people who attacked Joseon had to suffer greater damage.
This was because both the Ming and Joseon Dynasty mobilized their troops to subdue them.
In particular, Joseon carried out a retaliatory operation to wipe out not only the tribe in question but also nearby tribes.
Thanks to this, the Jurchen people crossing the Yalu River were no longer seen.
As the situation progressed, what remained for the Jurchen people was fratricide.
And in that way, the atmosphere in the Liaodong region became very ugly.
* * *
“How do you plan to resolve the situation in Liaodong?”
In response to Hyang’s question, the Shinigami smiled slightly and shook his head.
“What does a god-like beauty (an insignificant official) know? It’s just that Your Majesty doesn’t let go of your attention, so a good answer will come out soon. “What are your thoughts, Crown Prince?”
To the envoy’s question, Hyang responded with a similar expression to the one the envoy had made.
“What should I judge, as I am just learning about government affairs? “I just hope that no major disaster will come to our Joseon Dynasty.”
“But doesn’t it give you confidence to see you go about your affairs like this?”
When the Shinigami glanced up, Hyang smiled and answered.
“ha ha ha! “As a frog that had just escaped from the well, I was eager to learn about the extent of the Yangtze River and the Great Sea!”
“I don’t think that’s the rumor I’m hearing?”
“Rumors are just rumors.”
* * *
The fleet carrying incense and envoys stopped in Shandong for a while to rest and receive supplies, and then sent a messenger to Beijing.
After resting for three days in Shandong, the fleet then raised anchor toward Tianjin.
When the fleet arrived in Tianjin, a group of officials were waiting for the ship.
“I offer my greetings to the crown prince of Joseon!”
After receiving a polite bow from the waiting officials, Hyang politely returned the favor.
“Thank you for welcoming me this way.”
Escorted by officials and the military, Xiang headed to Beijing.
* * *
The incense that entered the Forbidden City in Beijing was immediately ceremonial.
“We welcome the crown prince of Joseon.”
“It is truly an honor to meet His Majesty the Emperor, the monarch of Shang Dynasty. “Long live, long live, long live!”
“ha ha ha. It feels really good to receive a cheer from the crown prince of Joseon. First, let’s relax and talk.”
“I truly appreciate your consideration, Your Majesty.”
Three days later, the fragrance began its official event in earnest.
“Yes, I heard a report from an envoy who went to Joseon. “You’re going to cover the three outer walls with glass?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You said you would only pay for the glass in return?”
“That’s right.”
Emperor Seondeok laughed loudly at Hyang’s answer and tapped the armrest.
“ha ha ha! How good! I also heard that glass is a truly beautiful object. However, I was afraid of wasting the country’s finances due to the beauty, so I refrained from it, but you, Joseon, made a truly grateful offer!”
Seeing Emperor Seondeok’s positive response, Hyang proceeded with his work little by little.
“It is Joseon’s wish to maintain good relations with the nation. “Come in with what you have prepared.”
Joseon officials who had been waiting for Hyang’s order came in with large and small boxes and a large table covered with silk cloth.
“What was it?”
“They come with insignificant things made of glass.”
Hyang responded and removed the silk covering the table.
“Oh oh!”
“Oooh!”
Not only Emperor Seondeok but also the surrounding officials and eunuchs were amazed as they saw the statue that was revealed as the silk was removed.
It was a beautiful statue with four dragons supporting a glass top.
“It’s truly beautiful.”
Emperor Seondeok muttered without realizing it. Emperor Seondeok always emphasized frugality, but he could not help but admire the beauty of glass.
Hyang then opened the boxes. When Emperor Seondeok saw the glassware surrounded by sawdust, he was greatly impressed and said to Hyang,
“Haedong has been famous for making beautiful objects since ancient times. “Looking at these glass objects, I can see that this is not just a rumor.”
“That is an undeserved compliment.”
“It’s not too much.”
After the eunuchs cleared away the prizes, Emperor Seondeok got down to business.
“Again, according to what the envoy said, he would replace all the outer doors of the three outer halls with glass and only accept the cost of glass in return. Is that correct?”
“I’ll buy it back.”
“Instead, you said you would stop sending princesses and eunuchs. “Is this also correct?”
“That’s right! In the process of sending off the princess and eunuchs, many parents in Joseon shed tears and mourned. “How could this not be a sad thing?”
“That’s right.”
Emperor Seondeok nodded at Hyang’s words.
The customs of princesses were created by Yuan. Emperor Yongrak inherited this.
‘There is no reason for our Ming Dynasty to continue to inherit the customs of the Yuan barbarians. But…’
Emperor Seondeok, who was counting back and forth, started bargaining.
“I will accept the request if you cover my three concubines with glass as well. However, the cost will be 6 nyang of silver per piece, including foreign and internal taxes.”
“your majesty! Just making glass costs 8 nyang of silver per piece! “If you take into account the possibility of damage during transportation, 6 nyang of silver is too much!”
Although Hyang strongly refused, Emperor Seondeok did not break his stubbornness.
“Is the king of Joseon saving money on stopping his people’s tears?”
“….”
Hyang bit her lip in response to Emperor Seondeok’s question. Emperor Seondeok smiled slightly at that sight.
‘Now what are you going to do? Your father’s honor is at stake!’
Hyang, who seemed to be pondering over and over again, looked at Seondeokje.
“It will be 7 pieces of silver, but I would like to make a proposal to your Majesty.”
“proposal? “Speak.”
“As you just saw, our Joseon Dynasty made many objects out of glass. “These glassware will soon be sold to Mingguo.”
“Is that so? Joseon will make a lot of money. “Is there a problem with this?”
“Therefore, I propose a partnership to your Majesty.”
“Partnership? With luggage? “Why the luggage?”
When Emperor Seondeok expressed his doubts, Hyang explained about the Hapja Sangdan.
“Hmm… I heard your explanation well. “But why burden?”
“The owner of the royal glass workshop that produces glass is my Abama. Although he is a vassal, he is the monarch of a nation, and the only worthy partner for him is Your Majesty.”
“Hmm…”
Emperor Seondeok began to count while tapping his fingers on the armrests of his throne.