Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 187
Episode 187: Currency War. (3)
The selection of a location for issuing new tickets was completed, but even greater difficulties awaited.
It’s ‘Who will have the authority to manage it?’ It was.
In principle, the emperor, Emperor Seondeok, had all authority. However, the reality was that those who had been delegated authority by Emperor Seondeok issued banknotes.
And it was at this point that the three major political forces of the Ming Dynasty clashed head-on.
The bureaucratic eunuchs, centered around the Cabinet Secretary, and the Gold Commission argued that they should manage and supervise the issuance of banknotes.
“The officials in charge of state affairs must assume authority!”
“Our eunuchs closest to Your Majesty must take charge! Please give power to your classmates!”
“Please entrust this important responsibility to Your Majesty’s most powerful sword, the Jinuiwi!”
The war of words that started like this burned hotly.
All three organizations could not back down. The opportunity to seize the money of a huge empire called Ming could not be passed on to another organization.
The moment an organization other than me took over that authority, I would be in a situation where I would have to keep an eye on what they thought.
‘No matter what you do, those guys must not be given authority!’
Those thoughts were so strong that those involved in the war of words forgot who they were talking to.
“If the eunuchs have a conscience, they shouldn’t step forward to take on the job! “They say that if you don’t bribe your superiors, no matter how loyal and sincere you are, you will have to poop for the rest of your life?”
“So are you clean? Do you know that there are only one or two people who refer to the governor of government as Pogeumsa (official who embraces gold)?”
“Stiff warriors like us should take charge of the job!”
“shut up! “You thieves!”
“A thief? “There are men who go around with their faces painted and pee and pee!”
The war of words between officials and eunuchs and military leaders was going beyond the limit.
When the situation became like this, the assistant cabinet secretary, the ministers of each department, the Tae-gam, the head of the eunuchs, and the Do-dok, the head of the Geumwiwi, tried to stop this with a white face.
But it was too late.
Clink!
“stop!”
Emperor Seondeok, who was watching the war of words from the head table, picked up the ceramics on the table next to him and threw them at those who were engaged in the war of words and shouted.
Those who came to their senses at Emperor Seondeok’s shout immediately fell to the floor in cold sweat.
“Hello! “Is there anyone out there?”
“yes. your majesty!”
At the command of Emperor Seondeok, the Geumuiwi soldiers and eunuchs who were waiting outside came hurriedly inside.
Emperor Seondeok, whose face was distorted with anger, gave orders to the soldiers and eunuchs who entered.
“Among those who are prostrating over there, except for the Assistant Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Inspector, and the Governor, take them all to prison! “I will personally hold you accountable!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The soldiers and eunuchs of the Geumuiwi grabbed the arms of those who had been singled out and began to drag them outside.
“your majesty! Have mercy!”
“Please have mercy!”
Those who sensed that their lives were over cried out at the top of their lungs for mercy, but Emperor Seondeok’s anger did not subside.
“You guys! Are you really unaware of your sins? What kind of place is this? In front of luggage! Show such disgraceful behavior in the presence of subjects from other countries! And then you still want to live! Hello! Get him out of jail right now! I already remember their faces clearly, so anyone who tries to do anything will be punished in the same way! “Take him out now!”
“your majesty!”
“your majesty!”
Those who had caused a commotion were dragged out, singing the Seondeokje offering in pitiful voices.
After all the commotion, the inside of the conference room was literally frozen.
Those who remained, including the assistant cabinet secretary, were all glued to the ground, their faces white and covered in cold sweat.
But the most difficult thing was the Hojo judge and interpreter.
As Ming’s subjects suddenly prostrated themselves, the two men who prostrated themselves were sweating and muttering to themselves.
‘Why here? why me?’
‘ah! want to go home!’
“Subjects of Joseon, rise up.”
“I accept the Emperor’s command.”
At the command of Emperor Seondeok, the governor of Hojo and the interpreter carefully stood up.
“Wake up, gentlemen.”
“Hwang Eun is devastated.”
When the subjects who had risen to their feet at the command of Emperor Seondeok sat down again, Emperor Seongdeok gave a warning.
“If something like this happens again in front of me, I will hold not only the parties responsible, but also the officers responsible.”
“I’ll keep that in mind!”
Emperor Seondeok, who heard the frozen answers of his subjects, asked Champan Hojo.
“Who issues and manages currency in Joseon?”
“Although legally it is under the Hojo, half of it is an independent organization and is run by an organization called the Mint.”
“Half of them are independent?”
“yes. Although it is the Hojo’s jurisdiction to set the monthly issuance volume, the Mint manages all printing management. However, the management of the eosae (御璽) used to stamp banknotes is handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the inspection and processing of copies of issued banknotes is carried out with the presence of officials from Saganwon and Saheonbu. “The next process is…”
“It’s complicated.”
Emperor Seondeok frowned slightly and muttered at Hojo Champan’s long explanation.
* * *
As Emperor Seondeok assessed, the process of issuing banknotes in Joseon was very complicated. To be precise, it was not a problem with the printing process, but the processes that occurred before and after it were complicated.
It was the job of a Mint Bureau official under Hojo to take out the coins used for banknotes from the safe.
However, after printing, it was the job of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to retrieve the seal, check its condition and number, and place it back in the safe.
It was inevitable that damaged copies would occur during the printing process.
After the final printing process was completed and before cutting, bills that were found to be defective during the inspection process were stamped in red with the word ‘unusable’ and the corresponding issue number was recorded.
After the cutting of the currency was completed, the currency designated as uncivilized was separated and incinerated.
Officials of the Saganwon and the Saheonbu intervened in this process.
The first process was completed only when the issue number already recorded was checked in the presence of the Saganwon and Saheonbu officials and it was confirmed that it was properly incinerated.
And the officials of Saheonbu and Saganwon who participated in this initiation process were randomly selected and assigned every morning.
It was a device to avoid any possible irregularities.
Through that process, the total number of banknotes ready for issuance were inspected again and a report was sent to King Sejong.
And the battlefields throughout Joseon and the Joseon superiors in Shandong who received these issued banknotes inspected them as soon as they received them and sent a report to Hanseong.
The second process involved comparing the numbers in this report with the report posted at the time of publication to confirm whether it was delivered properly.
Simply put, if 100 sheets were issued, the total of the numbers written on the reports sent by those who received delivery had to be 100.
* * *
Hojojampan nodded to Emperor Seondeok’s evaluation.
“Your Majesty’s words are correct. It’s complicated, cumbersome, and takes a lot of effort. However, there was a decree that if the reliability of banknotes could be maintained in this way, it was worth the risk.”
“is it?”
Emperor Seondeok gave a short answer to the words of the governor, and was lost in thought.
After that, Emperor Seondeok did not say anything for a long time.
Emperor Seondeok, who was thinking with a serious look on his face, nodded and slowly opened his mouth.
“yes. That’s right. When it comes to maintaining trust, the only correct answer is to follow the right path and set the standard. The king of Joseon is truly wise. “Then how is currency distributed?”
In response to Emperor Seondeok’s question, Hojo Champan explained the national battlefield.
Emperor Seondeok was not stupid either, so he immediately understood and was greatly impressed.
“You are truly meticulous and cunning! indeed! “I see why Joseon succeeded this time!”
Emperor Seondeok, who did not cease to be amazed, gave orders to the assistant cabinet secretary and the governor.
“Refer to Joseon’s policy and create a policy that suits us!”
“I follow your orders!”
Emperor Seondeok, who heard the answers of the Cabinet Secretary and others, gave them a very strong warning.
“But keep in mind that anyone who makes excuses and says we need to disperse will have to give up his life at that moment!”
“omg! “I will keep this in mind!”
Emperor Seondeok, who was looking at the Cabinet Secretary and the Grand Inspector General in shock, continued speaking.
“The deadline is… Joseon’s envoy must listen. “Jim has something to ask.”
“Please ask.”
“How long did it take Joseon to prepare to circulate this currency?”
“It took five years to secure the budget and one year to prepare for publication and distribution.”
“yes. The most important thing is the budget. Order to the monks. Refer to the path taken by Joseon and complete our own plan within three months. The plan must clearly specify the time to secure the budget. “It may be a bit difficult for Joseon’s envoy, but please cooperate until a plan is made.”
Upon hearing Emperor Seondeok’s order, Hojo Champan was in tears, but had no choice but to accept the order.
This was because Ming’s envoy had already gone to Joseon and he had some idea of the answer that would come from Joseon.
‘After all, Joseon’s largest trading partner is the Ming Dynasty, so let’s take this opportunity to learn more.’
“I follow your orders.”
Emperor Seondeok, who saw Hojo Champan’s face full of tears, ordered the governor.
“Let the Taegam give medicinal herbs to the envoys of Joseon to nourish their bodies. It is natural to feel mentally and physically weak after coming to a foreign country and not being able to return to your hometown for a long time. “Find the best medicine from my warehouse and hand it to me.”
“I follow the Emperor’s command.”
After hearing the answers of Emperor Seondeok and Taegam, Hojo Champan knelt down and shouted for national independence.
“Hwang Eun is devastated! hurray! hurray! Long live!”
‘Is it a tonic here too!’
With his mouth he shouted, “Long live,” but inside, he was crying bloody tears.
* * *
According to the orders of Emperor Seondeok, ministers and eunuchs developed a plan for currency management.
Of course, at the same time, designs for currency were also created.
“Didn’t Joseon make high-denomination notes?”
To the question of the Minister of State, Hojo Champan smiled slightly and answered.
“Joseon is a small country…”
Joseon also initially planned to issue high-denomination bills, but had to abandon the plan due to strong opposition from the local government.
“With the size of Joseon now, there is no need for high-denomination bills! Even if we make it, it will be the main culprit in raising prices!”
Hyang explained the reasons for his opposition in detail.
King Sejong and the ministers, who considered Hyang’s explanation reasonable, turned the release of high-denomination notes into a blank slate.
“yes. Joseon is a small country….”
‘What is it? To your face? ‘You look like a guy who will be put in the record office until he dies!’
Hojo Champan was boiled inside by the ridicule that Joseon was a small country, but he had to grit his teeth and hold back his anger.
Time continued to pass, and the design of Ming Dynasty’s new coin was finally completed and presented to Emperor Seondeok.
“Hmm… it’s okay.”
Emperor Seondeok, who saw the design of the new jeonjeon, immediately gave orders to the eunuchs.
“Assemble all major and minor officials.”
“I follow your orders!”
According to Emperor Xiande’s order, all the subjects working in the Forbidden City gathered in one place.
“Your Majesty the Emperor!”
At the eunuch’s shout, the subjects all bowed and bowed in respect.
“The design of the new paper has been completed. Sirs, look at this and give your opinion.”
The eyes of the subjects sparkled as the being that had already been rumored appeared.
As the pattern passed around among his subjects, Emperor Seondeok opened his mouth.
“Jim thinks it’s okay. “What are the thoughts of the monks?”
The subjects responded loudly to Emperor Seondeok’s question.
“great!”
“This is where the majesty of the empire lives on!”
“is it?”
As favorable answers popped up here and there, a smile began to appear on Emperor Seondeok’s face.
At that moment, an angry voice came out.
“The opposite is coming! “This is ominous!”
“Who is it? “Who opposed it?”
In response to Emperor Seondeok’s question, an old man jumped out from among the ministers.
“Who the hell are you?”
“It is said that God is Won Taeso, Gukjagam’s assistant.”
Emperor Seondeok’s face became serious at the sight of his status as an old man.
Gukjagam was an educational institution run by the Ming Dynasty. An assistant professor who was a member of the faculty of the Gukjagam could not ignore his knowledge.
“Okay… why is the original assistant against it?”
In response to Emperor Seondeok’s question, Won Taeso explained the reason.
“If you look at the design of the new Jijeon, there is a Yeouiju in the middle of the top of the Jijeon, and two dragons face each other with the Yeouiju in between, and the dragons’ bodies surround the four sides of the Jijeon.”
“yes.”
When Emperor Seondeok nodded, Won Taeso took a moment to catch his breath and continued his explanation.
“It is said that a dragon needs Yeouiju to become a complete dragon. However, in the new page, two dragons are facing each other over a single Yeouiju, which means that the Ming Empire is in a dispute over the imperial throne! “You must never use such ominous designs!”
“huh?”
Hearing Won Taeso’s words, Emperor Seondeok looked at the design of the currency again.