Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 111

Episode 111: Poison (2)

While King Sejong and Hyang were talking, the ministers were also continuing their conversation.

“But what do you think is the goal that the Lord Sang and the Crown Prince really want?”

Maeng Sa-seong calmly answered the question of the royal inspector.

“I think it might be Emperor Qing.”

“Qingje?”

“Chingjera….”

“I see.”

“I’m a little worried, but…”

The ministers shook their heads at Maeng Sa-seong’s words.

‘Chingje’ was not unfamiliar to the subjects of King Sejong’s reign.

This was because Goryeo, its predecessor, took the form of a foreign king and nae system and called itself ‘emperor’.

Although the system of foreign kings was abolished during the Yuan intervention, and the revival of the system during the reign of King Gongmin following the fall of Yuan failed due to Ming pressure, internally, titles and etiquette used only for the emperor were consistently used.

Therefore, for those who lived through the period of change between Goryeo and Joseon, the word ’emperor’ was not a word that was difficult to say.

“You really think it’s easy.”

Hwang Hee criticized the ministers for their actions. At Hwang Hui’s command, all the ministers’ eyes were focused on Hwang Hui.

“What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you hear the news from Annam (Vietnam’s Great Yue Country)? Annam has already been ruled by foreign kings. “That Annam.”

At the time, Annam was recognized as an underdeveloped country by the educated class of Joseon. Therefore, Maeng Sa-seong’s face became serious after hearing Hwang Hee’s words.

“no way! “Are you saying that you truly want to become emperor?”

Hwang Hee responded to Maeng Sa-seong’s words.

“I’m not sure about the Lord Sang’s feelings, but the crown prince definitely thinks that way.”

“Do you have any basis?”

“Astronomy. And this contract.”

The ministers all exclaimed in exclamation at Hwang Hee’s short answer.

“ah!”

“Come to think of it!”

In the first place, observing astronomical objects was only possible in the imperial kingdom. However, the county actively observed astronomical observations under the pretext of correcting the calendar.

And the partnership agreement this time was the same.

While everyone was still in shock, the new military inspector general opened his mouth.

“Certainly, it seemed too excessive to simply let the Ming into Naewoo to avoid interference from the Ming in the process of expanding Joseon’s territory. But if you think about the art of war, it is an incredible plan.”

“strategy?”

As the civil servants tilted their heads, the emperor explained in more detail.

“There is a common saying in all war books. When the enemy’s power is stronger than A’s, there are two most standard methods for A’s to take. One is to diligently improve Ah’s skills, and the other is to weaken the enemy. “The crown prince has now mobilized both precepts.”

“Hmm…”

At the emperor’s explanation, the ministers all fell silent and lost in thought.

After a moment of silence, Hwang Hee opened her mouth.

“If you look at the history of the central plains, the fall of the dynasties that ruled the central plains was not a cry, but a self-defeating rebellion. “Wonman is an exception.”

“Then what about the partnership agreement we signed this time?”

“Why did Shangjeo Okbae’s old story come out?”

“her!”

The ministers all looked shocked at Hwang Hee’s words.

Maeng Sa-seong muttered, looking as if he had been hit in the back of the head several times.

“The plan was simply to ‘contract with the emperor.’ “The crown prince who said that, or the chief minister who understood it… are they actually people?”

“Even so for the chief minister, what about the crown prince? “I can’t believe you have such a harsh reading mind in a relationship like that…”

The Minister of Defense intervened in the evaluation of the ministers.

“According to the Book of War, what a commander must have is mind reading. “The crown prince has already mastered the military techniques of ancient and modern times, so that level of mind-reading is quite possible.”

“Huh…”

While the ministers were speechless due to Hyang’s mind reading, Hwang Hee got up and left.

“Then, take care of yourselves. “You will have a lot of work to do in the future, so please take care of it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s about turning Joseon into an empire. “Would that be a lot of work?”

Hwang Hee, who asked back to the ministers, smiled at Maeng Sa-seong.

“Chief Maeng, you were worried earlier that things in the North would increase, right? “Will it become as numerous as Hanseong?”

“Oh my…”

“Hahaha! “Then, good luck!”

Maeng Sa-seong muttered softly as he watched Hwang Hee leave the room with a bright smile.

“I should have gone…”

The other ministers had similar thoughts to Maeng Sa-seong as they watched Hwang Hee scurrying away.

‘I should have gone…’

‘If I had known what Captain Hwang was thinking, I should have moved ahead…’

‘That spot should have been mine!’

While everyone was thinking that, Judge Hojo Kim Jeom stood up.

“I need to make a medicine to send to Captain Hwang.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Why is Captain Hwang so pretty?”

Kim Jeom smiled and answered the ministers’ questions.

“Did you forget? “Are you saying that Vice Admiral Hwang will have to attend to political affairs until he dies?”

“ah!”

The ministers who gave exclamations all smiled life-like smiles.

“Right. In that case, Admiral Hwang should live for a long time.”

“It takes a long time because we have to finish the race, we have to finish the grand strategy, and we have to accomplish the great project.” “You should live a very long time!”

“I need to make a very effective tonic!”

“I have some wild ginseng I was saving, so I guess I should send it to you! “For Captain Hwang, who must work until death for his country!”

It was the first time in a long time that the ministers had come together. Between them were Daesaheon and Daesagan.

* * *

Meanwhile, as the conversation came to an end at King Sejong’s request, Hyang brought up the next topic.

“Abama. “Your Majesty the Emperor, how is the wedding of your daughter progressing?”

“Your holy marriage? We are currently evaluating suitable candidates to be crown princess. why?”

“It’s been quite some time and there’s no conclusion yet.”

In response to Hyang’s question, Sejong lightly cleared his throat.

“greatness! Huh! Since she is the Crown Princess, she put a lot of effort into selecting her. It’s taking some time. “But why?”

Sejong, who asked the reason, smiled mischievously.

“why? “You’ve been pretending not to care, but it looks like you want to get married quickly, right?”

“That’s not it, the emperor asked me if I would like his daughter to be his crown princess.”

“Cough!”

At Hyang’s shocking remark, Sejong got caught in the tea he was drinking and coughed.

“Cough! Cough! So what did you say?”

When King Sejong asked while sneezing repeatedly, Hyang calmly answered.

“They said the selection process was already over and all I had to do was set a date.”

“What did the emperor say?”

“I just said I was disappointed and moved on. “I probably just said this in passing, but it could be a problem if the child’s marriage is delayed.”

In response to Hyang’s answer, Sejong analyzed the situation with a serious expression.

“So what I said in passing could actually be true?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

“But does the selection process take this long?”

“It just so happened…”

Sejong trailed off in response to Hyang’s question.

* * *

Thanks to the diligent efforts of Geomgye, who became acquainted with the Hyang’s pilgrimage to Gibang, those who met the standards desired by the Hyang were nominated as candidates.

“Huh~. “Everyone has great off-white color!”

The beauty of the women who were nominated was so outstanding that King Sejong was impressed when he saw those who passed the talent test.

The amount of attention Geomgye put into it showed that his knowledge was good and his mentality was as good as that of a crown prince.

But a problem arose there.

“Isn’t this bastard going to become a mess because he is obsessed with women?”

At the same time that King Sejong had his doubts, the ladies in charge of the review all gave unfavorable opinions.

“All of the candidates are fair-haired and lack both mentality and knowledge, but their faces are full of lust. “If you make a mistake, the monarch may become fascinated by the lust and neglect his affairs.”

“All of the candidates have beautiful bodies, but that beauty is a problem. “As a monarch’s wife, the most important responsibility is fertility, but with a body like that, it is difficult to withstand the shock of pregnancy and childbirth.”

Since all the court ladies gave negative opinions, King Sejong selected additional courtiers. The newly selected governors were those who met traditional standards.

However, when King Sejong saw the newly selected guards, he fell into trouble.

‘Isn’t this it?’

The newly elected officials were also well-educated and had a good mentality. But appearance was the problem.

It was healthy and hearty, but that was the end.

‘If that child’s personality is that. ‘I’m sure I won’t get out of Area 51!’

As soon as the topic of marriage came up, Hyang was a picky guy who went around to different rooms and set his own standards.

“Whoa~. “It’s a challenge.”

King Sejong sighed at the difficult problem to find an answer to.

“So… I was lucky. And… is that why Brother Yangnyeong went out like that?”

Lady Jeongsil of Yangnyeong, the eldest son of King Taejong, gave the impression of a traditional eldest daughter-in-law. Like the current second round selections, they were all good, but the off-white color was a little off.

“At least my sister-in-law had a good heart, so she endured my brother’s misbehavior… If it had been like that, there would have been a lot of trouble.”

Queen Wongyeong, King Taejong’s wife, was a woman of as great a character as King Taejong. As a result, there were frequent quarrels due to Taejong’s affair.

Sejong, who was reminiscing about his past, let out a small sigh.

“Was I lucky?”

Because he was the third son and not the eldest son, King Sejong was able to marry Queen Soheon, a woman who suited his tastes.

“As for the issue of fertility, what Hyang said makes sense…”

As Hyang pointed out, there were eight children born to King Sejong and Queen Soheon so far. To simply calculate the age difference between her children, Queen Soheon was pregnant with the next child almost immediately after the gestation and weaning period of one child was over.

If we include the concubines that King Sejong took after becoming king, at least one of the concubines, including Queen Soheon, was pregnant every year.

While King Sejong was agonizing over the difficulties he faced in the process of selecting the Crown Princess, the Emperor of Ming’s secret words threw a bombshell.

* * *

As Sejong blurted out his words, Hyang pointed out the urgency of the situation.

“Abama. A quick decision is needed. “Aba-mama and I can’t live together with the Crown Princess, can we?”

“That’s right. “I can’t live with you.”

“Even in Soja’s opinion, the standard was a little high, but considering the time that has passed…”

“We are evaluating! “Judging!”

Sejong, who interrupted Hyang’s words, hurriedly settled the situation.

“Let’s stop here for today. “I’ll make a decision on that soon!”

“yes? Yes….”

After sending out the scent, King Sejong went straight to Queen Soheon.

“Ho ho ho!”

Queen Soheon, who was taking care of Grand Prince Pyeongwon, who had recently been born, covered her mouth and burst into laughter at King Sejong’s complaints.

“It’s nothing to laugh about. “If you think about that child’s personality, it’s the hardest problem of all.”

Queen Soheon smiled and nodded at King Sejong’s words.

“That’s right. “If Hyang’s personality is anything to go by, he’s a child who can do just that.”

“What would you like?”

Queen Soheon answered King Sejong’s question right away.

“Do whatever the scent wants you to do. “Hyang-i’s personality isn’t that of a child who would be fascinated by colors and neglect their affairs, right?”

“Rather, he is someone who is so absorbed in work that he neglects his family.”

Sejong’s eyes, which had been observing scents for a long time, were extremely accurate.

“So you don’t have to worry. “The problem of heirs can be solved if the royal doctors work hard.”

“Hmm…”

King Sejong, who was contemplating Queen Soheon’s words, soon came to a conclusion.

“It would be best to do as the Queen says. I am so fortunate to have the Queen by my side.”

“The new concubine comes with it as well.”

Although she answered with a smile, there was a small sadness hidden in Queen Soheon’s eyes.